In a remarkable display of assertiveness, India has once again refused to bow down to China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), signaling a dramatic shift in its attitude towards its neighboring giant. The latest New Delhi declaration, issued at the conclusion of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) leaders’ summit, clearly demonstrates India’s unwavering stance against China’s flagship project, led by President Xi Jinping.

In a witty move, India decided to break away from the pack and withheld its signature from the paragraph endorsing the BRI. This is not the first time India has taken such a step. Last year, during the Samarkand declaration, India also stood its ground and refused to sign off on the BRI paragraph. The message is clear: India is no longer mincing its words when it comes to China’s initiatives.

The New Delhi declaration, in its unambiguous language, states, “Reaffirming their support for China’s ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ (BRI) initiative… note the ongoing work… to jointly implement this project… .” However, conspicuously absent from the list of supporters is India, which has consistently opposed the BRI due to concerns over the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor’s impact on its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

India’s refusal to endorse the BRI is not the only instance where it has shown its confidence. In the fight against terrorism, the Delhi declaration mirrors its predecessor, the Samarkand declaration, with a twist. While retaining the essence, India cleverly swapped the word “ultranationalism” with “chauvinism” to make its own mark on the matter.

Furthermore, the New Delhi declaration boldly denounces interference in the internal affairs of states, using the phrase “mercenary goals” instead of the softer “deceptive purposes” employed in 2022. This linguistic adjustment sends a strong message that India will not tolerate any attempts to exploit terrorist, extremist, or radical groups for personal gain.

Consistency is key, and India maintains its strong commitment to combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism. It actively seeks to disrupt terror financing channels, suppress recruitment activities, counter radicalization, and eliminate terrorist safe havens. In pursuit of these goals, the Delhi declaration emphasizes the importance of developing a unified list of prohibited organizations across the SCO member states, based on consensus and within the framework of national laws.

While the New Delhi declaration avoids mentioning the Ukraine conflict, it does underline the fundamental principles of mutual respect for sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of states. It emphasizes the peaceful settlement of disagreements and disputes through dialogue and consultations, reinforcing India’s dedication to preserving harmonious international relations.

India takes a bold stand against China’s grand schemes and refused to sign on the dotted line. India’s unwavering resolve, showcased through the New Delhi declaration, reflects a newfound assertiveness that will undoubtedly shape its future interactions with China and its regional aspirations.

In a disturbing incident, the Indian consulate in San Francisco was allegedly vandalized by Khalistani separatists on Sunday, prompting a strong condemnation from the United States State Department. The act of vandalism was met with swift response from local authorities and drew attention to the ongoing concerns surrounding Khalistani extremist activities.

According to reports, the attempted arson and vandalism took place on Saturday, but the San Francisco Fire Department was able to quickly extinguish the fire at the consulate. Fortunately, there were no major damages or injuries reported. Local, state, and federal authorities were immediately notified of the incident.

US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller expressed deep concern over the incident, stating, “The US strongly condemns the reported vandalism and attempted arson against the Indian Consulate in San Francisco on Saturday. Vandalism or violence against diplomatic facilities or foreign diplomats in the US is a criminal offense.”

A video shared by San Francisco-based Diya TV showcased the consulate engulfed in flames, with the words “violence begets violence” overlaid on the footage. The video also displayed newspaper clippings reporting the recent death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated terrorist and leader of pro-Khalistan groups, who was shot dead in Canada the previous month.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a 46-year-old native of Jalandhar, had been accused of providing financial support to the Khalistan Tiger Force and the Canadian arm of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), both known Khalistani outfits. He had affiliations with Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), one of the oldest Canada-based Khalistani terror groups.

Meanwhile, pro-Khalistan supporters in Canada have called for a “freedom rally,” accompanied by posters that contain threats towards India’s envoy in Ottawa and the Consul General in Toronto.

This event at the Indian consulate in San Francisco follows an earlier breach by Khalistani separatists who managed to infiltrate the premises and fly two flags displaying the Khalistan emblem. The frequency of such attacks highlights the continued threat presented by Khalistani extremist elements.

Speaking on the matter, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed his concerns over the radical and extremist ideology of Khalistanis, emphasizing that it is detrimental not only to India but also to partner countries such as the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. He urged these nations to deny space to Khalistani activities, stating that their ideologies are detrimental to bilateral relations.

The Indian government has announced its intention to raise the issue of pro-Khalistan posters being displayed at the rally in Canada, further underscoring the need to address and counter the influence of radical Khalistani elements.