New Delhi: In a significant diplomatic breakthrough for India, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) has strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians and echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for a united stance against “double standards” on terrorism.
The declaration at the SCO Summit in Tianjin came soon after PM Modi underlined that terrorism, separatism, and radicalism threaten global peace and development, urging member states to “speak in one voice” against countries openly supporting terror. The message carried extra weight as Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was present during the session.
“The Member States strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and extended condolences to the families of victims. Perpetrators, organisers, and sponsors of such attacks must be brought to justice,” the joint statement said, stressing that the use of extremist groups for political or mercenary purposes is unacceptable.
PM Modi, in his 11-minute plenary address attended by over 20 leaders, described the Pahalgam attack as not just an assault on India but “an open challenge to humanity.” He said India had suffered terrorism for over four decades and thanked partner nations for standing in solidarity.
“Can open support for terrorism by some countries ever be acceptable? We must clearly and unanimously say that no double standards on terrorism will be tolerated. We have to oppose it in all its forms and colours this is our responsibility towards humanity,” the Prime Minister declared.
Highlighting India’s SCO vision, PM Modi outlined the grouping’s three pillars S for Security, C for Connectivity, and O for Opportunity. He said India has worked to strengthen regional trade routes like Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor while insisting that sovereignty and territorial integrity must remain central to connectivity initiatives.
On opportunities, PM Modi stressed youth empowerment, innovation, and cultural exchange, proposing a new Civilizational Dialogue Forum under SCO to deepen people-to-people ties. He also called for urgent reform of global institutions, including the UN, to better reflect the aspirations of the Global South.
The summit also saw a rare moment of camaraderie between India, Russia, and China, with PM Modi, President Vladimir Putin, and President Xi Jinping sharing smiles and informal exchanges sending a subtle signal of Eurasian unity amid global geopolitical turbulence.
With the Pahalgam terror strike finding place in the SCO’s final declaration, observers say India has scored a major diplomatic win by getting the bloc including Pakistan and China to endorse its stand against terrorism without exceptions.
