Ajit Doval Calls for Ending Double Standards in Terror Fight
National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval emphasized the need for a consistent, unified approach to combating terrorism during a security council meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) held in Beijing on June 24, 2025.
Terrorism as a Crime Against Humanity
In his address, Doval reiterated that every act of terrorism, especially those crossing international borders, constitutes a crime against humanity. His remarks underscored India's firm stance against terror networks and their sponsors.
Targeting Cross-Border Terror and Double Standards
Without explicitly pointing fingers, the NSA highlighted the responsibility of SCO member states to hold accountable not only the direct perpetrators but also the organizers, financiers, and sponsors of cross-border terrorism. This message appeared to be a veiled reference toward Pakistan’s role in sponsoring terror groups.
Identifying the Terror Threats
Doval named several UN-proscribed terror outfits, including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Al Qaeda, and ISIS and their affiliates, as continuing threats within the region. He called for decisive action to dismantle their operational structures and 'terror ecosystems.'
India's Response: Operation Sindoor
Following the tragic Pahalgam terror attack where the Terrorist Radical Front (a proxy of LeT) took the lives of 26 Indian and Nepalese nationals, the Indian government launched Operation Sindoor. This initiative aims to dismantle terror infrastructure and prevent further attacks. Doval characterized India's measures as both "measured and non-escalatory," highlighting restraint amidst persistent threats.
Call for Collaborative Measures
Moving beyond military responses, Doval proposed an 'algorithm of joint actions' among SCO members to tackle challenges posed by international terrorism. He advocated for a shared intelligence framework and coordinated strategies to counter extremist ideology, radicalization, separatism, and extremism.
SCO Defence Ministers' Conclave: India to Push for Stronger Anti-Terror Agenda
Alongside Doval’s diplomatic engagement, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh traveled to Qingdao, China, to take part in the SCO defence ministers’ summit starting June 25. Singh is expected to press for enhanced regional cooperation to eliminate terrorism and extremism, reiterating India’s commitment to peace and security in the broader region.
China, Pakistan, and the Regional Security Landscape
The SCO group, besides India and China, includes Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The bloc’s ongoing focus remains securing regional stability and confronting threats emerging from transnational terrorism.
