No Country Should Back Perpetrators Of Terror: India's Sharp Message To China On SCO Sidelines
Last Updated:
Rajnath Singh conveyed to his Chinese counterpart that India will not compromise on sovereignty, recalling the Pahalgam attack and its targeted strikes under Operation Sindoor
In a sharp diplomatic message during bilateral talks with China, India reiterated its uncompromising stance on terrorism, invoking the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and the country's strong military response through Operation Sindoor, a targeted operation against terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. During the meeting, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh delivered a firm message to his Chinese counterpart, Admiral Dong Jun.
Singh is visiting the Chinese port city of Qingdao and met his counterpart on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' conclave. Admiral Dong had also welcomed Singh upon his arrival in China on Thursday.
According to exclusive sources who briefed CNN-News18, India conveyed two unequivocal messages to China: first, that no country should support the perpetrators of terrorism; and second, that India reserves the right to defend its territorial integrity.
These remarks served as a direct reminder of New Delhi's zero-tolerance policy on terrorism and reflected its expectation that China must not offer any diplomatic or strategic cover to cross-border terror networks. The conversation sent a strong signal that counterterrorism cooperation is non-negotiable for meaningful progress in bilateral ties.
Operation Sindoor And The Terrorism Red Line
Rajnath Singh took the opportunity to brief Admiral Dong on the Pahalgam attack, where terrorists killed 26 civilians in Jammu and Kashmir. India launched Operation Sindoor in retaliation, targeting terrorist infrastructure inside Pakistan — a move that has since drawn both regional and global attention.
The reference to the operation was seen as an indirect but unmistakable signal to China, which has often shielded Pakistan-based terrorists at global forums, including the United Nations.
The bilateral discussion was not confined to counterterrorism alone. Both leaders reviewed ongoing efforts to stabilise ties strained by the 2020 border standoff in Eastern Ladakh. Singh acknowledged the disengagement of troops from Depsang and Demchok in 2024 as a major step forward.
While noting incremental progress, he stressed the importance of a structured roadmap for permanent engagement and de-escalation, and called for rejuvenating the established mechanism on border demarcation to resolve long-pending issues.
Singh also underscored that it was incumbent on both sides to 'maintain this positive momentum and avoid adding new complexities" to the relationship — a direct quote from Rajnath Singh's post on X following the meeting.
Held talks with Admiral Don Jun, the Defence Minister of China, on the sidelines of SCO Defence Minitsers' Meeting in Qingdao. We had a constructive and forward looking exchange of views on issues pertaining to bilateral relations.Expressed my happiness on restarting of the… pic.twitter.com/dHj1OuHKzE
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) June 27, 2025
He emphasised the need for bridging the trust deficit that emerged after the Galwan clash, stating that peace along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) remains fundamental to the normalisation of India-China relations.
Diplomatic Milestones And Future Engagements
Despite historical tensions, Singh acknowledged the symbolic importance of 75 years of diplomatic ties between India and China, and expressed appreciation for recent developments aimed at normalisation.
As a gesture of goodwill, Singh presented Admiral Dong with a traditional Madhubani painting, reflecting India's cultural heritage from the Mithila region of Bihar.
He also welcomed the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra after a five-year hiatus, calling it a significant confidence-building measure. The yatra, postponed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will resume from June 30. The first group will cross into China via Lipulekh Pass on July 10, with the final batch returning to India by August 22.
Both sides agreed to continue consultations at various levels to take forward disengagement, de-escalation, border management, and eventual delimitation, leveraging existing mechanisms.
This meeting, set against the backdrop of a fast-evolving regional security landscape, underscored India's assertive recalibration — engaging neighbours on peace, but drawing clear red lines on sovereignty and terror.
Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!
tags :
India-China ties rajnath singh SCO meet
Location :
New Delhi, India, India
First Published:
June 27, 2025, 13:21 IST
News india No Country Should Back Perpetrators Of Terror: India's Sharp Message To China On SCO Sidelines
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
33 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Approach to treat act of terror as act of war added new dimension to operational outlook: Navy chief
New Delhi, During Operation Sindoor, Indian naval ships, submarines and aircraft were operationally ready and deployed, projecting strength and preparedness to deter any "potential actions from our western adversary" in the maritime domain, Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi said on Friday. Approach to treat act of terror as act of war added new dimension to operational outlook: Navy chief "This rapid and measured response not only showcased our strategic reach and maritime dominance, but sent a clear message of resolve, forcing our adversary to plead for ceasefire, I would say, just in time," Admiral Tripathi said in his address at an investiture ceremony at the Nausena Bhawan here. The Chief of the Naval Staff also made a reference to India's decision to treat any act of terror as an act of war in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam attack. "India's evolved approach to treat any act of terror as an act of war has added a new dimension to our operational outlook," Admiral Tripathi asserted. "As we navigate an era filled with a complex and rapidly-changing global security environment, the role of the Indian Navy is more critical than ever," he said. Admiral Tripathi further said the shifting geopolitical and geostrategic landscape, along with various ongoing conflicts worldwide, have "significantly increased the frequency, diversity and complexity of our task". Congratulating the awardees at the Naval Investiture Ceremony 2025, the Navy chief asserted that the occasion was a powerful symbol of the force's enduring spirit of "courage under fire" and "unwavering commitment to service before self". Admiral Tripathi conferred the prestigious Yudh Seva Medal to Commodore Kartik Srimal for his professional conduct of exceptional order as the fleet operations officer of the Navy's Western Fleet during Operation Sankalp. Marking a significant milestone, the Naval Investiture Ceremony was held in the newly-constructed Nausena Bhawan for the first time. The Indian Navy launched Operation Sankalp in December 2023, under which it executed anti-piracy, anti-drone and anti-missile operations in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the north Arabian Sea and the sea off the east coast of Somalia. During the ceremony, the CNS also conferred the Naosena Medal , Naosena Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal to various other naval personnel who have demonstrated leadership, professional accomplishment and rendered distinguished service of a high order. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Charade at Pakistan's behest': India calls arbitration court under Indus treaty 'illegal'; rejects its authority
File photo NEW DELHI: India on Friday dismissed the Court of Arbitration under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty as illegal, firmly rejecting its authority. The ministry of external affairs snubbed the 'supplemental award' by the "illegal" Court of Arbitration for asserting its authority to hear the Kishenganga and Ratle hydropower cases in Jammu and Kashmir. The ministry also highlighted that the court was constituted in violation of the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960. Supplemental award issued by the Court of Arbitration refers to a follow-up decision specifically on whether the tribunal has the legal authority (competence) to hear the case about India's Kishenganga and Ratle projects -- not on the projects themselves, but on the court's jurisdiction. "India has never recognised the existence in law of this so-called Court of Arbitration, and India's position has all along been that the constitution of this so-called arbitral body is in itself a serious breach of the Indus Waters Treaty and consequently any proceedings before this forum and any award or decision taken by it are also for that reason illegal and per se void," the MEA statement said. After the dastardly Pakistan-backed terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the government placed the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance. In a strong statement, the foreign minister said the treaty will remain suspended until Pakistan "credibly and irrevocably" ceases its support for cross-border terrorism. "Until such time that the Treaty is in abeyance, India is no longer bound to perform any of its obligations under it," the statement said. "India, therefore, categorically rejects this so-called supplemental award as it has rejected all prior pronouncements of this body," the issue read. Lashing out at the "charade at Pakistan's behest", the government called the "supplemental award" another desperate attempt by Islamabad to escape accountability for its role as the global epicentre of terrorism. "Pakistan's resort to this fabricated arbitration mechanism is consistent with its decades-long pattern of deception and manipulation of international forums," the ministry added.
India.com
36 minutes ago
- India.com
Pakistan's radical army chief Asim Munir makes BIG claim against India after humiliating defeat in Operation Sindoor, says New Delhi is region's biggest…
Asim Munir (File) Operation Sindoor: Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir does not seem to have learnt any lessons from the humiliating defeat his forces sustained at the hands of their Indian counterparts during last month's Operation Sindoor. The radical army officer is back to his old ways of spewing venom against India, ironically calling New Delhi as the 'biggest sponsor of terrorism' in the region, without presenting any shred of evidence for his accusation. India 'biggest sponsor of terrorism', claims Munir Addressing Pakistan Army officers of the 52nd Common Training Programme on Friday, Asim Munir accused India of being the biggest terror sponsor in the subcontinent, and urged other countries, particularly Afghanistan, to be wary of New Delhi's alleged 'proxy' network, which he claimed is being used to carry out terror attacks in Pakistan and other nations. 'Pakistan wants friendly relations with Afghanistan, a brotherly Islamic country, but expects Kabul not to give space to India-sponsored terrorist groups, Fitna al-Hindustan and Fitna al-Khawarij. India is the biggest sponsor of terrorism in the region,' Munir claimed, adding that Pakistan will never accept Indian hegemony. 'We have never bowed down before India and won't in the future' he asserted. Terrorism India's 'internal issue' Talking about terror incidents in India, Asim Munir said it was an internal issue of New Delhi, which he alleged stems from purported discrimination and violence against minorities, especially Indian Muslims. Munir claimed the terror attacks in India have nothing to do with Pakistan. Notably, this allegation coming from a Pakistan army chief is quite ironic, as his country has a notorious track record as far as treatment of minority groups is concerned. Pakistan's minority population is dwindling at a rapid pace since the country's formation, while the same is flourishing in India, with their numbers increasing rapidly. Additionally, Pakistan was carved out on the basis of religion, where Muslims enjoys privileges, while minorities like Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, and even other smaller Islamic sects like Shias and Ahmadis, are treated as second-class citizens. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Army chief also addressed Islamabad's defence preparedness, asserting that the country and armed forces are fully prepared to meet the requirements of modern warfare. The Field Marshal also stressed on the importance of unity among all state institutions, stating that the administration and civil bureaucracy are the foundation of harmony and their responsibilities are crucial. Operation Sindoor Last month, on May 7, Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor, a series of deadly, precision strikes on terror infrastructures deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), to avenge the heinous Pahalgam terror attack in which terrorists gunned down 26 civilians, mostly Indian Hindu tourists in Kashmir valley on April 22, 2025. The Indian attack sparked a series of strikes and counter-strikes from India and Pakistan as both sides fired missiles and attack drones at each other's territories for nearly 100 hours before a ceasefire agreement was reached.
