QINGDAO: The Indian Defence Minister’s request to speak after Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Qingdao, China, was rejected, highlighting further diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
Khawaja Asif, during his address, presented evidence of India’s involvement in Pakistan’s internal matters, specifically referring to the terrorist attack on the Jaffar Express in Balochistan and the arrest of Indian Navy officer Kulbhushan Jadhav, a key figure in a Pakistani espionage case. Asif also reaffirmed Pakistan’s position on the Kashmir dispute, emphasizing Islamabad’s stance on regional security.
After Asif’s speech, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh made a request to the Chinese minister to allow him to speak again. However, this request was turned down, causing further friction during the meeting.
Asif’s address was notable for its direct approach towards India’s actions, with particular focus on the situations in Kashmir and Balochistan. He mentioned that the SCO declaration included references to Kashmir and Balochistan, with other member countries supporting Pakistan’s position. However, he added that the declaration was a joint one, and India’s absence from signing it meant that the statement was not issued as a formal declaration.
In an earlier session, the meeting failed to reach a consensus on a joint statement due to India’s refusal to sign the communique. While Pakistan’s Defence Minister reiterated the country’s commitment to fighting terrorism and fostering peace within the SCO framework, India’s actions led to diplomatic isolation for the country within the meeting.
The SCO, a major Eurasian political and security grouping, comprises ten nations, including China, Russia, Pakistan, India, and Iran. The Defence Ministers’ Meeting was held as a precursor to the annual leaders’ summit later this year. Despite India’s attempts to alter the narrative, a Pakistani official noted that India found itself diplomatically isolated, failing to link the Pahalgam incident to Pakistan in the final statement and also declining to sign the communique.
