Key Developments

• No Joint Communiqué: Meeting ended without consensus due to India's withdrawal over exclusion of terrorism references.
• India's Objection: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh refused to sign declaration as it omitted:
  • Pahalgam terror attack (J&K).
  • Cross-border terrorism (advocated by India).
• Controversial Draft: Included Pakistan-backed mention of "disturbances in Balochistan" but ignored India's concerns.
• SCO Charter Violation: Omission contradicts SCO’s 2002 founding principles combating "terrorism, separatism, extremism."

Geopolitical Implications

• China’s Role: As SCO Chair, faced criticism for biased drafting favoring Pakistan.
• India’s Diplomatic Gap:
  • Skipped 2023 SCO in-person summit during India’s presidency.
  • No parliamentary outreach to SCO states post-Operation Sindoor (India’s counter-terror op).
• SCO Power Dynamics: Dominated by China-Russia-Central Asia bloc, limiting India’s influence (unlike SAARC).