India chose not to endorse the joint statement at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting held in Qingdao, citing the omission of its terrorism concerns as the primary reason. The Indian Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, emphasized the necessity of acknowledging the Pahalgam attack, which has been attributed to the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba. However, the joint statement instead referenced activities in Balochistan, leading to a lack of consensus among member states. This disagreement ultimately resulted in the abandonment of the joint statement. The incident highlights ongoing tensions within the SCO regarding differing national priorities and security concerns. India’s insistence on addressing terrorism underscores its broader strategy to combat cross-border terrorism and secure regional stability. The failure to reach a consensus reflects the complexities of international diplomacy within multilateral organizations like the SCO, where diverse political and security interests often clash. This development also illustrates India’s firm stance on terrorism, which remains a critical issue in its foreign policy agenda. The absence of a unified statement from the meeting may impact future collaborations and discussions within the SCO framework, as member states continue to navigate their varied interests and priorities.