Prior to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is scheduled to travel to China from June 24 to June 26, 2025, to attend a high-level gathering of national security advisers.The recent Pahalgam terror attack and India’s Operation Sindoor, which targeted Pakistani terror infrastructure and intercepted sophisticated foreign-made weapons, including Chinese-origin missiles and Turkish drones used by Pakistan, have escalated tensions in the area, making this visit crucial.
India’s top priority at the SCO will be counterterrorism, and Doval is anticipated to take on Pakistan head-on on the subject of cross-border terrorism. India wants the SCO to designate Pakistan-based organizations like Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) as major threats and uses the Pahalgam incident to diplomatically isolate Pakistan.
Given Beijing’s tight ties to Islamabad, Doval’s involvement is viewed as a high-stakes diplomatic move that aims to test China’s position on terrorism while also exposing Pakistan’s collaboration.
Although China and Pakistan are anticipated to oppose such a move, India would insist on including the Pahalgam attack in the SCO joint declaration, which is likely to result in a diluted outcome. In an effort to fortify the SCO’s counterterrorism framework, India also intends to advocate for the institutionalization of anti-terror measures through the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS).
The visit is noteworthy since it is the first time Chinese and Indian officials have met at a high level since the military stalemate along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh started in 2020. China is apparently interested in normalizing relations, including the return of direct flights, but is unlikely to take a strong stance against Pakistan for strategic reasons. This comes amid ongoing efforts to stabilize India-China relations.
Iran’s position further complicates the geopolitical situation because, despite its backing for India in the Pahalgam incident, Tehran has close links to both China and Pakistan. Additionally, considering the growing defense and energy ties between Moscow and New Delhi, it is anticipated that Russia may covertly support India’s position on terrorism.
This will be the first visit by a senior Indian minister since bilateral relations soured during the 2020 border incidents, and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh is also expected to go to China for the SCO Defence Ministers’ conference. Both gatherings are thought to be essential for determining the security agenda of the next SCO summit and for bolstering India’s efforts to establish a strong regional counterterrorism apparatus.
For India’s efforts to combat cross-border terrorism, refute Pakistan’s narrative, and engage China in a delicate diplomatic balancing act while navigating the intricate web of regional alliances and rivalries, NSA Ajit Doval’s trip to China for the SCO summit is strategically vital.
