India blocks SCO declaration over 'terrorism' language dispute.
India blocks SCO declaration over 'terrorism' language dispute. Pakistan, June 26 -- Defense ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) met in China but failed to adopt a joint statement due to disagreement over language on terrorism, said Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal. India pushed for explicit mentions of terrorism, notably referencing the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that claimed 26 lives. However, at least one unnamed member-widely believed to be Pakistan-refused to agree, blocking consensus. The refusal led India to withhold its endorsement. According to The Week, India's defense minister Rajnath Singh declined to sign, calling the draft statement's wording on terror insufficient and inconsistent with India's position. The stalemate reflects deep India-Pakistan tensions since the Kashmir attack. India directly blamed Pakistan, which rejected the accusation. This marked the first appearance by senior I...