SCO Summit Declaration Condemns Pahalgam Terror Attack
At its summit in Tianjin, China, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) issued a joint declaration strongly condemning the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Concurring with India's stance, the 10-member bloc, which includes China, Russia, and Pakistan, stated that "double standards" in fighting terrorism are unacceptable. The Tianjin Declaration called for perpetrators to be brought to justice and stressed the need to combat the cross-border movement of terrorists, marking a significant diplomatic statement for India on a multilateral platform.
Unpacked:
The SCO is a Eurasian political, economic, and security organization founded in 2001. Its ten members are China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Belarus. It focuses on regional cooperation, combating terrorism, and promoting stability and economic growth among its members.
The summary does not specify details, but the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam refers to a violent incident targeting civilians or security forces in the Indian region of Jammu and Kashmir, an area frequently affected by militancy, leading to international condemnation and calls for justice.
‘Double standards’ refers to the practice of condemning terrorism in some cases while ignoring or tacitly supporting it in others, often due to political interests. The SCO statement emphasizes that all forms of terrorism should be opposed consistently, without selective application based on political alliances or interests.
India faces recurring cross-border terrorism, especially in Kashmir. The SCO’s joint declaration aligns major regional powers—including China and Russia—against terrorism and supports India’s position, lending international legitimacy and diplomatic backing to its concerns about cross-border militancy.