Dushanbe: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday called for a united global approach to combating terrorism, asserting that there can be no justification for terrorism and no double standards in tackling the threat, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting in Tajikistan’s capital, Dushanbe.
Singh made the remarks in the presence of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who was seated across the table from the Indian minister during the meeting.
“Terrorism is one of the gravest threats to development,” Singh said, highlighting its impact on human lives, investment and commerce.
He said terrorism radicalises societies and deprives young people of opportunities, stressing that countries must collectively dismantle the entire ecosystem supporting terrorist activities.
“There can be no space for people who finance and support terrorists or provide them a safe haven. The entire ecosystem of terrorism should be ended strongly and collectively,” Singh said.
Singh is representing India at the SCO meeting in Dushanbe, where leaders and representatives of member countries are discussing regional cooperation and other shared concerns.
His remarks echo Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call at an earlier SCO meeting in September for member countries to dismantle the ecosystem of terrorist financing, recruitment, radicalisation and safe havens.
India has repeatedly accused Pakistan of supporting and harbouring terrorism, allegations Islamabad has denied.
The latest remarks come against the backdrop of heightened tensions following the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people. India subsequently launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Singh is on a two-day official visit to Tajikistan to attend the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting.
