India declined to sign the SCO defense summit's joint statement after it failed to mention the recent deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam that killed 26 tourists. Citing unaddressed concerns on terrorism, India criticized what it viewed as a pro-Pakistan bias. The Indian defense minister condemned countries supporting cross-border terrorism. The incident heightened India-Pakistan tensions, with claims of airstrikes and retaliations until a U.S.-brokered ceasefire was announced—though India denied any third-party mediation.