SCO Summit: India’s Firm Stand on Terrorism and LAC Peace

BISHKEK, KYRGYZ REPUBLIC — In a critical move to stabilize one of the world’s most sensitive borders, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met his Chinese counterpart, Admiral Dong Jun, on Tuesday. The high-level meeting took place on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ conclave, marking a significant step in rebuilding ties that have been frosty since 2020.

Focus on Border Peace and Global Crises

The two leaders engaged in detailed discussions regarding the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

• Stability First: Both sides emphasized the necessity of maintaining “peace and tranquillity” in the border areas to allow for further diplomatic progress.
• West Asia Crisis: In a rare shared concern, the ministers exchanged views on the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which has disrupted global energy and shipping lanes (including the Strait of Hormuz).

Stern Warning on ‘State-Sponsored’ Terror

Addressing the full SCO gathering, Rajnath Singh delivered a powerful message on national security. He described terrorism as the “most serious threat” to the emerging world order and called for a policy of Zero Tolerance.

• No Double Standards: Singh asserted that there is no room for “double standards” when dealing with terrorism, specifically targeting cross-border, state-sponsored activities.
• Operation Sindoor: The Minister cited India’s recent “Operation Sindoor” as proof that terror epicentres are no longer immune to “justifiable punishment.”

Strengthening the ‘Eurasian’ Connection

Beyond China, Singh utilized the summit to deepen ties with India’s long-standing strategic partners:

1. Russia: Discussions focused on high-end defence technology and ensuring supply chain stability for spare parts.
2. Central Asia: Meetings with counterparts from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyz Republic aimed at expanding military exercises and training cooperation.
3. Belarus: A focus on diversifying defence procurement and joint ventures.

The SCO Factor: Why it Matters for India

The SCO, established in 2001, is now one of the world’s largest regional bodies. For India, which became a full member in 2017:

• Regional Security: It is a vital platform to engage with both Russia and China simultaneously.
• Counter-Terrorism: The RATS (Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure) mechanism within the SCO remains a key tool for India to highlight regional security concerns.