Defence Minister Rajnath Singh issued a stern warning against terrorism during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation council meeting in Dushanbe on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, speaking in the presence of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar just days after vowing a stronger response to cross-border attacks.
Speaking to representatives of SCO member countries in Tajikistan’s capital, the defence minister said terrorism remained one of the biggest threats to peace and development.
The gathering in Dushanbe brought together regional leaders, where Tajikistan Prime Minister Qohir Rosulzoda met with the Defence Minister ahead of discussions focused on regional cooperation, connectivity, the economy, and institutional functioning.
Singh Warns Pakistan Over Cross-Border Terrorism in Dushanbe
With Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar seated in the room, Rajnath Singh called for an uncompromising approach toward those who finance or enable extremist groups. He emphasized that the impact of such violence reaches far beyond immediate casualties.
Terrorism not only causes the loss of innocent lives but also disrupts investment and commerce. It radicalises society and deprives our youth of the opportunities they deserve.
Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister
Singh added that the entire ecosystem of terrorism must be firmly and collectively dismantled, insisting there can be no double standards when dealing with organizations that find safe havens across borders.
Operation Sindoor Marks Strategy Change
The Dushanbe address followed remarks delivered on October 15, 2026, at the Times Network Defence Conclave in New Delhi. On that occasion, Singh warned that any future terrorist act originating from Pakistan would draw an even stronger response, pointing to past military actions as proof of a fundamental change in strategy.
Operation Sindoor, Balakot Airstrikes and Surgical Strikes weren’t just military operations; they symbolised a decisive shift in the nation’s approach, moving from diplomatic condemnation to proactive action aimed at rooting out terrorism by reaching its very source.
He noted that since 2014, the shelf life of most terrorists had fallen to less than a year.
Islamabad Condemns Provocative Remarks from Indian Defence Minister
The ministerial warnings drew sharp rebukes from Islamabad. On Friday, October 16, 2026, Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan condemned the remarks during a weekly press briefing, calling them reckless statements that reflected India’s hegemonistic mindset.
Pakistan rejects and condemns the Indian defence minister’s provocative remarks…
Sajjad Haider Khan, Foreign Office spokesperson
Khan urged New Delhi to abandon its belligerent posture and dangerous rhetoric, asserting that Pakistan had demonstrated its resolve to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity with a forceful response. He warned that Islamabad’s commitment to peace must never be mistaken for weakness.
To those who harbour hostile designs across our borders, our stance remains resolute and unambiguous. There is no space for conflict or war in a nuclearised environment.
General Aamer Raza, National Strategic Command
Singh Holds Bilateral Meetings in Tajikistan
Away from the plenary sessions, Singh utilized the regional summit for bilateral diplomacy. He held separate discussions with Tajikistan Prime Minister Qohir Rosulzoda and Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref.
During his meeting with Rosulzoda, Singh highlighted longstanding civilisational ties and deep people-to-people connections uniting India and Tajikistan, later sharing details of both interactions on social media as the summit continued its deliberations in Dushanbe.
Speaking further on foreign policy engagements, the Foreign Office spokesperson addressed Pakistan’s diplomatic communications regarding regional security. In addition to bilateral talks, the diplomatic agenda in Islamabad also featured discussions with regional counterparts, including an official visit by Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud Al-Busaidy to the Pakistani capital to expand bilateral cooperation. Alongside these diplomatic exchanges, the Foreign Office highlighted counterterrorism efforts, noting that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had addressed an international conference on Pakistan's changing counterterrorism strategies.