Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated on Friday that India faced diplomatic isolation during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting, as its Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s request to respond to Pakistan’s remarks was denied by the Chinese chair.
Speaking to the media outside Parliament House, Asif said he briefed the forum on India’s alleged involvement in destabilizing Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan, and submitted a dossier containing documented evidence.
The dossier highlighted incidents such as the involvement of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav, the Jaffer Express attack, and other subversive activities allegedly linked to India.
Following his address, Asif claimed that the Indian delegation requested additional time to respond, but the Chinese Defence Minister, who chaired the meeting, rejected the request. “It was a defining moment — India was left without support,” he remarked.
According to Asif, the joint declaration prepared during the meeting included references to both Kashmir and Balochistan. However, eight out of the nine member states supported the draft, with India being the only country to oppose it. As a result, the declaration could not be officially adopted.
“This was a diplomatic setback for India,” Asif said, adding that no member state endorsed India’s objections. “Our stance was acknowledged and welcomed by several members,” he asserted.
He further alleged that India actively tried to block any mention of regional disputes — especially concerning Kashmir and Balochistan — but failed to rally any support.
Referring cryptically to “Operation Sindoor,” Asif remarked, “India’s vermilion has been wiped away,” signaling a symbolic defeat. He emphasized that Pakistan had effectively played its part in exposing India’s destabilizing actions.
On regional tensions, Asif said that meaningful dialogue with India is only possible if core disputes, particularly Kashmir, are addressed in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions. “Normalization of ties is impossible without movement on fundamental issues,” he said.
Commenting on the situation with Iran, the defence minister noted that Pakistan is monitoring developments and will issue a formal response once there is greater clarity. “It’s an evolving matter, and we’ll respond appropriately when the facts are clear,” he added.
Regarding Pakistan’s ties with the United States, Asif dismissed reports of strain, describing the relationship as “stable” and “intact.”
