SCO Stands With India: Tianjin Declaration Condemns Pahalgam Terrorist Attack

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states have extended strong support to India by unequivocally condemning the April 22, 2025 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The Tianjin Declaration, issued at the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting, expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims and stressed that those responsible - the perpetrators, organisers, and sponsors - must be held accountable.

"The Declaration echoes the theme of 'One Earth, One Family and One Future'. Member states welcomed the results of the 5th SCO Startup Forum (New Delhi, 3-5 April 2025) in deepening cooperation in the field of scientific and technical achievements and innovations. Member States noted the holding of the 20th meeting of the SCO Think Tank Forum (New Delhi, 21-22 May 2025). They also noted the contribution of the SCO Study Centre at the Indian Council for World Affairs (ICWA) in strengthening cultural and humanitarian exchanges," reads the declaration.

Reiterating their firm stand on terrorism, the SCO states made it clear: "The Member States strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on 22 April 2025. They expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the dead and the wounded. They further stated that perpetrators, organisers and sponsors of such attacks must be brought to justice."

The declaration further underscored: "The Member States, while reaffirming their firm commitment to the fight against terrorism, separatism, and extremism, stress the inadmissibility of attempts to use terrorist, separatist and extremist groups for mercenary purposes. They recognise the leading role of sovereign States and their competent authorities in countering terrorist and extremist threats. The Member States strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, stress that double standards in the fight against terrorism are unacceptable, and call on the international community to combat terrorism, including cross-border movement of terrorists."

At the summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a strong message in the presence of Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, stressing that terrorism is a collective challenge to humanity. "In the fight against terrorism, India stands firm on unity, and the SCO has an important role," he said, while making it clear that "double standards" on terrorism are unacceptable.

Citing the Pahalgam attack, PM Modi highlighted India's continued fight against global terror outfits. "...India has taken the lead in the fight against terror outfits like Al-Qaeda and its associates, and we oppose any kind of terror-financing. We have recently seen the brutal Pahalgam terror attack. I thank all the friendly nations who stood with us...," he said.

The Pahalgam attack, which left 26 people dead, was followed by Operation Sindoor - a military strike by India on May 7 targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The four-day confrontation, which included drone and missile exchanges, concluded after Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) requested a halt in escalation.

The Tianjin SCO Summit saw participation from major global leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, making India's strong anti-terror stance a central theme of the discussions.