New Delhi, June 26 (UNI) India has refused to sign the joint statement of member countries on terrorism, foiling the intentions of China and Pakistan in the meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

Sources said China and Pakistan did not want to mention the Pahalgam terrorist attack in the joint statement and instead were adamant on including the case of the Jaffar train hijack in Baluchistan in the statement.

The two-day meeting of the defence ministers from the member countries of the SCO is currently taking place in Qingdao, China. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is representing India in the meeting, which is being chaired by China.

Sources said that India strongly objected to the proposal and refused to sign the statement. As a result, a joint statement will not be issued following the conclusion of the SCO meeting.

Earlier in the meeting, Singh had clarified India's stand on terrorism before the member countries and said in clear words that every act of terrorism is criminal and unjustifiable and that the organisation should unite to root out this threat to collective security.



Singh said, "Peace and prosperity cannot co-exist with terrorism and the spread of weapons of mass destruction in the hands of non-state actors. The perpetrators, supporters, financiers and sponsors of terrorism need to be brought to justice."

He clearly said in the presence of Pakistan and China that through Operation Sindoor, India has exercised its right to defend against terrorism and prevent cross-border attacks. He said the hideouts of terrorism are no longer safe, and India will not hesitate to target them.

Referring to India's policy against terrorism, Singh called upon member countries to unite to end this threat to collective security.

Addressing the Defence Ministers, SCO secretary general, director of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS) and other distinguished delegates, the Defence Minister said the biggest challenge facing the region relate to lack of peace, security and trust, with rising radicalism, extremism and terrorism being the root causes of these problems.

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