WEBDESK: India is facing growing diplomatic isolation after refusing to sign a joint declaration at the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) defense ministers’ meeting in Qingdao, China. Media reports suggest India could even be dropped from the SCO permanently following this incident.
The dispute began when Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh declined to sign the final statement. He objected that the document failed to mention an April 22 terror attack in Kashmir that killed 26 Indian tourists. Indian officials claimed the declaration seemed more aligned with Pakistan’s position, as it referenced unrest in Balochistan but ignored the Kashmir incident.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, representing Pakistan at the meeting, shared evidence-based details about regional security issues, including the Jaffar Express attack and the involvement of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav. After these remarks, India reportedly requested a second chance to speak. However, the chair China denied this, citing SCO protocol.
Frustrated by the rejection, India refused to be part of the consensus, isolating itself while all other SCO members signed the joint declaration. Khawaja Asif remarked that India’s reaction reflected its growing diplomatic isolation in regional and global forums.
Tensions have been rising ever since Operation Sindoor, which further strained India’s relations with neighboring countries and SCO members. While Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a last-minute observer invitation to the G7 summit, he was not included in the main group photo and was largely sidelined during key meetings.
Observers say India’s refusal to cooperate within the SCO framework could damage its standing in regional security discussions. The SCO, which includes China, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, and several Central Asian nations, plays a vital role in promoting security and economic cooperation in the region.
If India continues on this path, as per media reports it may risk losing its membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization altogether a move that would further distance it from regional allies and important security dialogues.
