SCO Summit Issues Unanimous Condemnation of Pahalgam Terror Attack
In a significant diplomatic development for India, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) issued a united condemnation of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 people. The Tianjin Declaration, adopted at the summit attended by leaders from India, China, Russia, and Pakistan, stated that those who planned, financed, and sheltered the terrorists must be held accountable. The explicit mention marks a rare moment of consensus on a terror strike on Indian soil at a forum that includes Pakistan.
Unpacked:
The Resistance Front (TRF), a relatively unknown group linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack both on April 22 and 23, 2025. No other group claimed responsibility for the incident.
It is noteworthy because Pakistan is often accused by India of supporting or sheltering militants involved in attacks in Kashmir. Consensus in the SCO, which includes both India and Pakistan, on condemning a terror strike on Indian soil is rare and signals unusual diplomatic alignment.
India expelled Pakistani nationals, suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, shut down airspace, and exchanged fire across the Line of Control. Analysts expect an even more extensive military response, similar to or greater than India's airstrikes after the 2019 Pulwama attack.
Pahalgam is a popular tourist destination in Kashmir, usually considered relatively safe. The attack’s targeting of civilians, including tourists, heightened its impact, led to international condemnation, and raised security concerns for travel in the region.