SCO Condemns Pahalgam Terror Attack, Echoes India’s Call for Action

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) has strongly condemned the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, in which several civilians were killed, and backed India's call for accountability of those involved in financing, organising, and supporting terrorism.

The condemnation was issued through the Tianjin Declaration, adopted at the SCO Summit in Tianjin, China, on September 1. The summit was attended by leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

At the SCO's Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) meeting in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, the Indian delegation, led by Deputy National Security Adviser T.V. Ravichandran, reiterated that all perpetrators and their sponsors must be brought to justice. Ravichandran strongly condemned double standards in tackling terrorism, stressing that "terrorism in all its forms and manifestations must be addressed without compromise."

The Tianjin Declaration underscored the need to counter cross-border terrorist movements, aligning with India's long-standing concerns about terrorism emanating from its neighborhood. The statement reaffirmed the SCO's collective resolve to strengthen cooperation against global terror threats and improve coordination between member states.

Prime Minister Modi, addressing the summit, sharply criticized selective approaches to terrorism. Without naming Pakistan directly, he questioned whether the SCO could remain silent when some nations continue to justify or shelter terrorists. He called the Pahalgam attack a "disgusting" act that should concern every member state.

India's stance at the summit gained notable traction, with SCO members acknowledging the urgency of dismantling terror networks and denying safe havens to extremist groups. The declaration further highlighted the importance of international cooperation to fight terrorism while rejecting any form of political justification for it.

The SCO's collective stand, echoing India's position, marks a significant moment in the region's counter-terrorism framework and reinforces New Delhi's demand for accountability and justice for the Pahalgam victims.