India explains why defense meeting in China had no joint statement

A meeting of defense ministers from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) took place in Qingdao, China, but they couldn’t agree on a joint statement. India’s foreign ministry said the disagreement was about the word “terrorism.” The SCO includes 10 countries like China, Russia, India, Pakistan, and Iran. This meeting was a step toward their leaders’ summit planned for later this year.

India’s Defense Minister, Rajnath Singh, attended and met with China’s Defense Minister, Dong Jun. They talked about restarting a holy pilgrimage called the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which stopped in 2020 after a border clash between India and China. Singh also pushed for a clear plan to solve the ongoing border issues between the two nations, stressing the need to build trust after years of tension.

The meeting happened at a time of global unrest, with conflicts in the Middle East and NATO countries planning to increase defense spending. China’s defense ministry called the meeting successful, but didn’t give details about the lack of a joint statement. India stood firm on its stance against terrorism, especially after a recent attack on Indian tourists, which caused friction with Pakistan and China. Despite the challenges, India supports China’s role in leading the SCO this year and hopes for better ties through open talks.