Rajnath Singh on Tuesday called for a stronger commitment to a rules-based international order, cautioning against the growing reliance on force and urging nations to work toward a more peaceful and stable global environment.
Speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Defence Ministers' Meeting in the Kyrgyz capital, Singh underscored the responsibility of member states to maintain not just regional stability but broader global equilibrium. He noted that the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), which represents a substantial share of the world’s population, has a crucial role to play in ensuring peace and prosperity worldwide.
The SCO today comprises India, Russia, China, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran and Belarus. Since joining as a full member in 2017, India has steadily expanded its engagement within the bloc, including taking on the rotating chairmanship in 2023. The organisation’s influence has also widened in recent years, with Iran formally inducted as a full member during India’s presidency.
Against this backdrop, Singh urged member countries to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy over confrontation. Emphasising the need to avoid escalation, he warned against allowing the current global climate to slide into prolonged conflict. Drawing on the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi, he reiterated the enduring relevance of non-violence, noting that retaliatory approaches ultimately harm all sides.
Addressing ongoing discussions about reshaping global governance, Singh questioned whether the world truly requires a new order, or simply a more disciplined adherence to existing norms. He argued that the central challenge lies not in the absence of frameworks, but in the increasing tendency to disregard them.
According to Singh, long-term stability depends on preventing disagreements from escalating into disputes, and disputes from spiralling into crises. He called on SCO nations to adopt a collective approach rooted in humanitarian values, stressing that cooperation, coexistence and compassion must take precedence over rivalry and conflict.
Reaffirming India’s position, Singh concluded by advocating for a global consensus that upholds dignity, mutual respect and a shared commitment to peace.
(With inputs from ANI)