Not every agreement inked from a position of strength translates into strategic triumph. The 1971 war is a telling reminder. Bharat’s decisive victory split Pakistan, created Bangladesh, and saw 93,000 Pakistani soldiers surrendering in Dhaka—one of the most humiliating defeats in modern military history. Yet, just months later, the Simla Agreement of 1972 exposed how battlefield gains could be squandered at the diplomatic table. Despite explicit warnings from then RAW chief RN Kao to “count her fingers" after shaking hands with Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Mrs Indira Gandhi fell for his charm, unilaterally agreeing to release the Pakistani prisoners without even securing the return of Indian soldiers languishing in Pakistani jails.

If all treaties signed from a point of strength are not success stories, then all treaties not signed aren’t failures either. Last week, when Defence Minister Rajnath Singh refused to sign the SCO’s joint statement on countering terrorism, he not only safeguarded Bharat’s core security interests but also offered a glimpse of a country willing to stand firm—alone if necessary—in pursuit of its national priorities.

The Defence Minister’s conduct at the SCO summit reflects a growing confidence, maturity, and self-assuredness of........

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