🚨 Missed Opportunity at the SCO: India’s Diplomatic Challenge Against Terrorism 🚨

Recently, India’s Defence Minister attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting—a critical platform bringing together India, China, Russia, Pakistan, and Central Asian nations. Yet, the final joint statement shockingly omitted any reference to terrorism or cross-border terror, despite the recent Pahalgam attack. This silence is seen by many as a diplomatic win for Pakistan—and a missed opportunity for India.

🔎 Why Does It Matter?

✅ Terrorism remains a central threat destabilizing South Asia and Central Asia.

✅ The SCO, through bodies like the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), was designed to address such threats.

✅ India’s engagement at platforms like the SCO provides a chance to internationalize its concerns about Pakistan’s continued support for cross-border terrorism.

🌐 The Bigger Picture:

As global diplomacy shifts from multilateralism to minilateralism—smaller, regional groupings like the SCO, Quad, or I2U2—India must seize these forums to amplify its voice. Failing to do so risks letting adversaries control the narrative and weaken collective pressure on state sponsors of terror.

💡 The Way Forward:

Use regional groupings proactively to demand accountability for terrorism.

Engage key partners like Russia to spotlight inconsistencies in Pakistan’s counter-terror claims.

Balance regional diplomacy with continued engagement in global institutions like the UN for broader legitimacy.

India cannot afford to leave any international or regional stage vacant. Every platform is a chance to showcase our concerns, isolate aggressors diplomatically, and protect national security interests.

🔗 What are your thoughts on India’s diplomatic strategies at regional forums like the SCO? Should we recalibrate our approach to ensure our voice is heard?

#India #SCO #Diplomacy #Geopolitics #InternationalRelations #NationalSecurity #CounterTerrorism #UPSC #StrategicAffairs