Rajnath Singh calls for dismantling terror ecosystems at SCO summit in Tajikistan

India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has delivered a sharp warning against terrorism at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, declaring that there can be no double standards or safe havens for those who sponsor violence.

Speaking at the SCO Council of Heads of Government gathering with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar seated across the table, Singh called on member nations to collectively dismantle the entire infrastructure supporting militancy.

Addressing leaders from across Eurasia, Singh highlighted how terrorism undermines global development and regional peace. He warned that cross-border extremism not only claims innocent lives but directly disrupts investment, commerce, and economic growth across the region. Radicalisation, he noted, deprives young people of productive opportunities and destroys social stability.

"There can be no justification for terrorism. There can be no double standards in tackling it," Singh said, stressing that states providing safe havens or funding to extremist networks must be held accountable. The firm stance underscores India's decisive posture under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration, which has shifted national security policy from diplomatic protest to active counter-terrorism, demonstrated through proactive measures to protect national sovereignty.

Alongside his address on counter-terrorism, Singh engaged in key bilateral talks on the sidelines of the summit to strengthen India’s diplomatic and economic partnerships in Central Asia and the Middle East.

India also reiterated its commitment to economic integration and resilient supply chains within the SCO framework. Singh backed the multilateral trade and economic cooperation action plan for 2026–2030, advocating for inclusive trade and technological collaboration to drive mutual growth.

Furthermore, India welcomed decision-making progress in making key regional bodies permanent fixtures within the organisation, including the Universal Centre in Tashkent and the Anti-Drug Centre in Dushanbe.