MOS Singh Condemns Use of Terrorist Proxies for Cross‑Border Attacks, Calls It a Violation of Humanity at SCO Summit

At the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, India’s External Affairs Minister MOS Singh used a frank, almost conversational tone to lay out a point that many have been circling around for years: turning to terrorist proxies for cross‑border aggression is not just a security blunder, it’s a betrayal of basic human decency.

"When states weaponise terror groups to strike beyond their borders, they step away from the core principles of humanity that bind us all," Singh said, his voice echoing across the plenary hall. He didn’t mince words, noting that such conduct erodes trust among nations and, more importantly, inflicts needless suffering on ordinary people caught in the crossfire.

He went on to highlight a pattern that he believes is emerging in the region – certain actors allegedly providing logistical, financial and ideological support to insurgent outfits operating across the border. While he stopped short of naming any specific country, the subtext was unmistakable, pointing fingers toward long‑standing suspicions about proxy wars being waged from across the border.

Singh stressed that the SCO, as a platform for dialogue and cooperation, should not become a forum where such covert strategies are tacitly accepted. "We have to ask ourselves: are we fostering a climate where terror can be outsourced?" he asked, pausing for effect before continuing, "Because if we do, we are compromising the very essence of human solidarity."

Beyond the moral condemnation, the minister urged concrete steps: improved intelligence sharing, joint counter‑terrorism drills, and a robust mechanism within the SCO to flag and address the misuse of non‑state actors for violent ends. He suggested that a shared database of individuals and groups designated as terrorist proxies could help prevent their exploitation.

His remarks were met with nods from several delegations, though some representatives remained visibly cautious. The discussion that followed touched on the delicate balance between respecting national sovereignty and taking collective action against threats that transcend borders.

In closing, Singh reminded the assembly that any attempt to normalize the use of terror as a strategic tool runs counter to the principles that the SCO originally set out to uphold – peace, security, and mutual respect. "Let us not become complicit through silence," he concluded, leaving the hall with a lingering sense that the conversation on proxy terrorism is far from over.