India and Pakistan’s NSAs Come Face to Face in China: A Glimpse of Regional Tensions and Diplomatic Nuance

In a rare diplomatic moment, the National Security Advisors of India and Pakistan recently found themselves face-to-face in China during a high-level security dialogue hosted by the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). This interaction, though indirect and non-bilateral, marked a subtle but important moment in the geopolitics of South Asia—one where two rival nations, despite longstanding tensions, shared a multilateral platform to discuss regional peace, security, and counter-terrorism.

The meeting, held in Qingdao, China, brought together security officials from several member states of the SCO, including Russia, China, India, and Pakistan. The Indian delegation was led by NSA Ajit Doval, a key figure in shaping New Delhi’s national security and counter-terrorism policies. His Pakistani counterpart also attended the session, although there was no confirmed bilateral dialogue between the two.

India’s Tough Message on Terrorism

During the meeting, NSA Ajit Doval took a strong and unambiguous stance on terrorism. He urged fellow SCO members, particularly China and indirectly Pakistan, to shun the “double standards” in addressing terrorism. He specifically emphasized that global terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, both of which have been active in South Asia and are believed to be operating from Pakistani soil, must be dealt with decisively and without geopolitical bias.

Doval reiterated India’s position that terrorism remains the most significant threat to regional peace and called for a zero-tolerance policy across all platforms. His statement was also a reminder that selective targeting of terror groups—or ignoring some while condemning others—undermines the collective security goals of the SCO.

His message was widely interpreted as a subtle but firm warning to both Pakistan and China. India has long accused Pakistan of harboring and supporting terrorist groups, while also expressing frustration with China’s occasional vetoes in the United Nations against designating certain individuals as global terrorists.

India Declines to Sign Final SCO Statement

In a significant diplomatic move, India chose not to endorse the final joint communiqué released by the SCO at the end of the security dialogue. The reason? The statement reportedly omitted any mention of the April 22 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which India views as a recent and clear act of cross-border terrorism. In contrast, the document was seen as sympathetic to Pakistan’s internal security concerns, including references to Balochistan.

By withholding its endorsement, New Delhi signaled its displeasure at what it perceives as pro-Pakistan bias and lack of solidarity on terror issues that affect India directly. It was also a way to protest the selective acknowledgment of terrorism that, according to Indian officials, ignores their core concerns.

Pakistan’s Presence: Symbolic but Low-Key

The Pakistani NSA’s attendance at the event was more subdued, with no public remarks or detailed briefings released from Islamabad following the meeting. However, Pakistan’s presence at the SCO table continues to be significant as it seeks to assert its geopolitical relevance in multilateral forums, particularly those where India and China are both involved.

Although there was no direct engagement reported between the Indian and Pakistani NSAs, their simultaneous presence in a strategic dialogue underscores how international platforms like the SCO are becoming essential arenas for indirect diplomacy, especially when direct talks remain politically unfeasible.

China’s Role: Mediator or Balancer?

China’s role as host of the meeting is also noteworthy. By facilitating dialogue—direct or indirect—between the two South Asian rivals, China continues to position itself as a regional powerbroker. While it shares strategic ties with Pakistan through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), it also values its economic and security relationship with India.

For Beijing, bringing India and Pakistan to the same table—even without bilateral talks—is part of its broader diplomatic balancing act. It allows China to showcase the SCO as a productive forum for regional stability while also subtly influencing the narrative around terrorism and security in Asia.

What This Means Going Forward

While the event did not result in any dramatic breakthrough or direct India-Pakistan engagement, it serves as a reminder that multilateral forums remain crucial in South Asia’s complex security landscape. The symbolism of two rival NSAs sharing a platform—even without speaking—may seem minor, but in a region where even indirect contact can shift perceptions, it matters.

Moreover, India’s refusal to sign the joint SCO statement points to growing frustration with perceived international inaction or bias on terrorism-related issues. This episode reinforces India’s broader foreign policy strategy: assertive diplomacy, zero tolerance on terror, and a strong message that national security concerns cannot be diluted for the sake of symbolic unity.

Conclusion

The India-Pakistan dynamic remains one of the most enduring and volatile relationships in global politics. While no direct dialogue took place in China, the SCO meeting offered a stage—however constrained—for both sides to engage with broader regional security questions. As geopolitical fault lines shift and new alliances emerge, such encounters, even when limited to shared spaces and speeches, offer a glimpse of the subtle diplomacy shaping South Asia’s future.

Reference:  بھارت پاکستان قومی سلامتی مشیر چین میں آمنے سامنے