There can be no justification for terrorism and no room for double standards when combating the threat, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated on Tuesday while addressing the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Council of Heads of Government meeting held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Representing India at the regional summit, Singh described terrorism as one of the most severe obstacles to global development, noting that it damages not only innocent lives but also commerce and investment.
Speaking directly in the presence of Pakistan's Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who was seated across the table, Singh stressed that extremist ideologies radicalize communities and deprive young people of essential opportunities. He asserted that any nation providing sanctuary, financial backing, or logistical support to terrorists must find no safe space within the international community, calling for a collective and decisive dismantling of the entire terrorist infrastructure.
Singh's remarks follow a similar diplomatic stance delivered previously by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had earlier urged member states to unite in dismantling networks responsible for terror financing, recruitment, and radicalization. India has consistently maintained that states facilitating terrorism cannot separate themselves from the perpetrators of violence, pointing to long-standing cross-border security concerns.
Upon his arrival in the Tajik capital for the two-day official visit, Singh received a ceremonial welcome at the Dushanbe airport, where he was greeted by Tajikistan's Defence Minister Emomali Sobirzoda alongside senior foreign ministry officials. The high-level regional meeting brings together leaders and representatives from various member states to deliberate on shared economic and security challenges.