By Emeka Blast 
Doval Addresses China on Counter-Terrorism in Their Home Turf
India’s National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval delivered a pointed critique of China’s stance on terrorism during a high-stakes address at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Security Council Secretaries meeting in Beijing on Monday, urging nations to “shun double standards” in combating terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). The remarks, made in the presence of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, underscored India’s frustration with China’s perceived leniency toward Pakistan-based terrorism, sparking diplomatic ripples across the region.
A Bold Message in Beijing
Speaking at the 20th SCO Security Council Secretaries meeting, Doval called for decisive action against UN-proscribed terror groups, specifically naming LeT, JeM, and their proxies, which he said operate with impunity in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region. “Any act of terror, including cross-border terrorism, is a crime against humanity,” Doval declared, advocating for a joint information operation to counter terrorism, separatism, and extremism within the SCO framework. His comments were seen as a veiled jab at China, a close ally of Pakistan, which has historically blocked UN efforts to designate Pakistan-based operatives as international terrorists.
Doval’s speech came a month after India’s Operation Sindoor, a retaliatory strike on nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir following the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 Indian and Nepalese nationals. He described India’s actions as “measured and non-escalatory” but stressed that nations must hold accountable the sponsors, financiers, and facilitators of terrorism. The remarks appeared to indirectly urge China to pressure Pakistan, its “all-weather ally,” to dismantle terror networks.
China’s Response and Bilateral Talks
Doval’s address followed a bilateral meeting with Wang Yi on Monday, where he reiterated the need for counter-terrorism measures to maintain regional stability. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the talks also reviewed progress in India-China relations, including the October 2024 disengagement agreement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Wang Yi emphasized China’s support for peace, urging India and Pakistan to resolve differences through dialogue, a stance some Indian analysts interpreted as deflecting responsibility.
Chinese envoy Xu Feihong tweeted that both sides should pursue “good neighbourliness and friendship” and maintain border tranquility, but Doval’s call for accountability struck a nerve. Posts on X reflected mixed sentiments, with @IndiaWarZone praising Doval for “criticizing China in their own country,” while @MansurQr questioned India’s diplomatic approach, calling it “defeat” in light of China’s territorial assertions.
Regional and Global Context
The SCO summit, hosted by China as the current chair, provided a platform for Doval to highlight India’s counter-terrorism priorities, especially after the Pahalgam attack by The Resistance Front, a LeT proxy. India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, attending the SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao from June 25 to 27, reportedly declined to sign the SCO declaration, signaling India’s firm stance on terrorism.
The remarks come amid delicate India-China relations, with recent steps to normalize ties after the 2020 Ladakh standoff. Doval invited Wang Yi to India for the next round of Special Representatives’ talks, indicating a willingness to continue dialogue despite the pointed critique. However, China’s support for Pakistan, including its Belt and Road Initiative, remains a sticking point, with Doval previously criticizing connectivity projects that disregard sovereignty.
Broader Implications
Doval’s bold stance has sparked debate about India’s strategy in the SCO, a platform that includes both China and Pakistan. Analysts see his remarks as a calculated move to isolate Pakistan while testing China’s neutrality. “Doval’s message was clear: China can’t preach regional cooperation while shielding Pakistan’s terror networks,” said Dr. Sreeram Chaulia, a foreign policy expert at Jindal School of International Affairs. However, some warn that openly challenging China in Beijing risks straining bilateral ties.
As the SCO summit continues, all eyes are on whether Doval’s call will push member states to adopt stronger anti-terrorism measures or deepen divisions within the bloc. For now, his unflinching words have reaffirmed India’s resolve, even as the region navigates a complex web of alliances and conflicts.
