‘No double standards on terrorism’: Rajnath’s warning at SCO meet with Pakistan present

NEW DELHI: Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh warned against double standards in combating terrorism at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, alongside Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar. The defence minister emphasized that terrorism causes not only the loss of innocent lives but also hampers investment, commerce, and societal development, adding that it radicalises society and denies youth their deserved opportunities.

Singh stressed that no justification exists for terrorism and called for a united front against those who finance, support, or provide safe havens to terrorists. He reiterated India's commitment to dismantling the entire ecosystem of terrorism in a collective manner. Rajnath's remarks followed his warning on October 15 that any further terrorist acts emanating from Pakistan would prompt a stronger response.

At the Times Network Defence Conclave in New Delhi, Singh explained that India's approach to dialogue, coexistence, and peaceful dispute resolution shouldn't be misconstrued as weakness. He highlighted Operation Sindoor, Balakot Airstrikes, and Surgical Strikes as decisive actions taken to root out terrorism at its source. Since 2014, Rajnath noted, the lifespan of most terrorists has been reduced to less than a year, thanks to India's security forces.

On the sidelines of the SCO meeting, Singh met Tajikistan Prime Minister Qohir Rosulzoda and Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref. He highlighted the longstanding civilisational ties and deep people-to-people connections between India and Tajikistan. During his meeting with Aref, Singh shared details of their interaction, emphasizing the importance of strengthening cooperation in cultural, connectivity, economic, innovation, investment, and people-to-people ties.