NEW DELHI: National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Tuesday called for "shunning double standards in the fight against terrorism " at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) held in China.
Doval urged the SCO to hold the perpetrators, organisers, financiers, and sponsors of cross-border terrorism accountable, in a call widely seen as a demand for action against Pakistan-backed terrorism , reported news agency PTI.
He also advocated for a "joint information operation" among SCO members to counter terrorism, separatism, and extremism.
Addressing a conclave of top security officials of the SCO, Doval said India is "deeply concerned" about the continued threat from UN-proscribed terror groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Al Qaeda, ISIS, and its affiliates.
The NSA said New Delhi launched Operation Sindoor to dismantle terror infrastructure and deter terrorists from carrying out attacks in India following the Pahalgam terror strike.
Referring to the attack in Pahalgam, in which The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of LeT, killed 26 Indian and Nepalese nationals and injured several others after segregating them on the basis of religion, Doval said India launched Operation Sindoor to dismantle terror infrastructure.
Doval said India's actions were "measured and non-escalatory."
The NSA stressed the need to "shun double standards" in the fight against terrorism and reiterated taking decisive action against UN-proscribed terrorists and entities like LeT, JeM, and their proxies.
Doval specifically called for the dismantling of the terror infrastructure of these groups and their supporting ecosystems.
He reiterated that "any act of terror including cross-border terrorism is a crime against humanity."
What is SCO?
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a political, economic, and security alliance founded in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Originally formed to address regional security concerns, particularly related to terrorism, separatism, and extremism, the SCO has since expanded its focus to include broader cooperation in trade, energy, connectivity, and cultural exchange.
India and Pakistan became full members in 2017, significantly increasing the organisation’s influence and geographical reach. Iran was later admitted as a full member, further expanding its regional footprint.
Why does SCO matter to India?
The SCO is a crucial platform to engage with regional powers like Russia, China, and Central Asian countries on matters of security, connectivity, and economic cooperation. India views the SCO as a useful forum to strengthen its fight against terrorism, particularly cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan, which is also a member.
The SCO provides New Delhi with an opportunity to voice its concerns on terrorism, push for collective action against UN-proscribed terror groups, and advocate for the dismantling of terror networks and their financing structures. India also uses the platform to promote its vision of a free, open, and inclusive regional order, countering narratives dominated by China.
Strategically, the SCO allows India to maintain a balanced relationship with Russia and Central Asia while managing complex ties with China and Pakistan within a multilateral setting. The SCO also serves as leverage for enhancing regional connectivity, especially through initiatives like the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and Chabahar Port, though India remains cautious about China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Doval urged the SCO to hold the perpetrators, organisers, financiers, and sponsors of cross-border terrorism accountable, in a call widely seen as a demand for action against Pakistan-backed terrorism , reported news agency PTI.
He also advocated for a "joint information operation" among SCO members to counter terrorism, separatism, and extremism.
Addressing a conclave of top security officials of the SCO, Doval said India is "deeply concerned" about the continued threat from UN-proscribed terror groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Al Qaeda, ISIS, and its affiliates.
The NSA said New Delhi launched Operation Sindoor to dismantle terror infrastructure and deter terrorists from carrying out attacks in India following the Pahalgam terror strike.
Referring to the attack in Pahalgam, in which The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of LeT, killed 26 Indian and Nepalese nationals and injured several others after segregating them on the basis of religion, Doval said India launched Operation Sindoor to dismantle terror infrastructure.
Doval said India's actions were "measured and non-escalatory."
The NSA stressed the need to "shun double standards" in the fight against terrorism and reiterated taking decisive action against UN-proscribed terrorists and entities like LeT, JeM, and their proxies.
Doval specifically called for the dismantling of the terror infrastructure of these groups and their supporting ecosystems.
He reiterated that "any act of terror including cross-border terrorism is a crime against humanity."
What is SCO?
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a political, economic, and security alliance founded in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Originally formed to address regional security concerns, particularly related to terrorism, separatism, and extremism, the SCO has since expanded its focus to include broader cooperation in trade, energy, connectivity, and cultural exchange.
India and Pakistan became full members in 2017, significantly increasing the organisation’s influence and geographical reach. Iran was later admitted as a full member, further expanding its regional footprint.
Why does SCO matter to India?
The SCO is a crucial platform to engage with regional powers like Russia, China, and Central Asian countries on matters of security, connectivity, and economic cooperation. India views the SCO as a useful forum to strengthen its fight against terrorism, particularly cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan, which is also a member.
The SCO provides New Delhi with an opportunity to voice its concerns on terrorism, push for collective action against UN-proscribed terror groups, and advocate for the dismantling of terror networks and their financing structures. India also uses the platform to promote its vision of a free, open, and inclusive regional order, countering narratives dominated by China.
Strategically, the SCO allows India to maintain a balanced relationship with Russia and Central Asia while managing complex ties with China and Pakistan within a multilateral setting. The SCO also serves as leverage for enhancing regional connectivity, especially through initiatives like the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and Chabahar Port, though India remains cautious about China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
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