Setback for India: SCO Joint Declaration Mentions Balochistan, Omits Pahalgam

A major diplomatic development emerged at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting in China, where a joint declaration by member states subtly referenced Indian involvement in destabilizing Balochistan.

The wording of the document reportedly pointed toward foreign interference in sovereign regions — a phrasing widely interpreted by analysts as an indirect accusation against India. Notably, the declaration made no mention of the recent Pahalgam attack in India, which had been a point of concern raised by the Indian delegation.

In response, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh refused to sign the declaration, signaling a diplomatic rift and a loss of consensus. Experts say this marks another strategic blow to India’s global diplomatic efforts amid rising allegations of cross-border interference.

This latest development adds to growing international scrutiny regarding India’s role in regional unrest, particularly in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, where unrest and violence have frequently been linked to foreign funding and support.

Analysts say the omission of Indian concerns and the highlighting of Balochistan in a multinational forum is a clear indicator of shifting geopolitical narratives.