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Introduction

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance. India became a full member in 2017, viewing it as a vital platform to engage with Central Asia and address regional security challenges, including terrorism, while navigating complex geopolitical dynamics.

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Reasons for India’s Refusal to Endorse the SCO Draft Statement

• Selective Condemnation of Terrorism: India refused to sign the draft as it was unbalanced, condemning one incident while ignoring another.
  Eg. The draft mentioned the Zafar Express hijack in Pakistan but deliberately omitted the Pahalgam terror attack in India.
• Violation of SCO Principles: This selective approach contradicted the SCO’s founding ‘Shanghai Spirit’ of mutual respect, equality, and non-interference.
• Upholding a “Zero-Tolerance” Policy: The refusal underscored India’s unwavering ‘zero-tolerance’ policy against all forms of terrorism without differentiation.
  Eg. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh insisted that terrorism cannot be categorized, and all such acts must be condemned unequivocally.
• Challenging Geopolitical Bias: The move pushed back against a perceived China-centric bias within the SCO, which often aligns with Pakistan’s strategic interests.
• Consistency in Foreign Policy: The action is consistent with India’s past refusals to compromise on core national security and sovereignty issues.
  Eg. Previously, India has consistently refused to endorse China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) at SCO summits as it passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
• Asserting Strategic Autonomy: By not signing, India asserted its strategic autonomy, refusing to endorse a document that compromised its core national interests.
  Eg. This demonstrates India’s multi-aligned policy, where it engages with blocs like the SCO and Quad on its own terms.
• Forcing a Diplomatic Stalemate: India’s firm stance led to an unprecedented outcome, highlighting the severity of its objection.
  Eg. This refusal meant that for the first time, the SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting concluded without a joint statement.

Refusal Reflects India’s Stance on Cross-Border Terrorism

• No Double Standards on Terror: The action powerfully communicates that India rejects any differentiation between ‘good’ and ‘bad‘ terrorists.
• Exposing State Sponsorship: By highlighting the omission, India subtly exposed the selective approach of nations that sponsor or shield cross-border terrorism.
  Eg. This challenges China’s history of blocking UN sanctions against Pakistan-based terrorists like Masood Azhar.
• Rejecting False Equivalence: The action challenged Pakistan’s attempt to equate its internal conflicts with the state-sponsored, cross-border terrorism that India faces.
• Prioritizing National Security: The decision demonstrates that India’s national security concerns are paramount and will not be diluted for multilateral consensus.
• Highlighting RATS’ Ineffectiveness: The biased draft undermined the credibility of the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), which is meant to be impartial.
• “Terror and Business Cannot Go Together”: This stance reinforces India’s long-held principle that normal diplomatic business cannot proceed while terrorism is selectively condemned.
• Asserting a Victim’s Right: As a primary victim of cross-border terrorism, India asserted its right to demand fair and equitable treatment in all international forums.

Conclusion

India’s bold refusal to sign the biased statement sets a new precedent within the SCO. This assertive diplomacy may influence future deliberations, compelling the organization to adopt a more balanced and non-discriminatory approach to terrorism, especially with China holding the upcoming 2025 chair.

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