Islamabad, June 26, 2025: The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao concluded without a joint declaration on Thursday, primarily due to India’s refusal to endorse the final communiqué. India’s decision came after its attempt to include a reference linking Pakistan to the recent Pahalgam attack was dismissed by other member states.
The high-level meeting brought together defence ministers from all SCO member countries, including Pakistan, China, and Russia. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif participated, marking a rare joint appearance of Pakistani and Indian officials in an SCO event amidst recent bilateral tensions.
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Indian media reports indicated that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh objected to the draft’s omission of the Pahalgam incident in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), while it condemned the Jaffar Express bombing in Balochistan, which India reportedly saw as an indirect accusation against itself.
Analysts view this outcome as a diplomatic setback for India, as the organization declined to support New Delhi’s narrative against Pakistan over the Pahalgam incident.
Separately, India also opted out of another SCO joint statement condemning Israeli airstrikes on Iran, citing its independent foreign policy and close ties with Israel.
Despite the lack of a consensus declaration, the 10-member SCO bloc continues its significant role in promoting regional cooperation and security.
