Tianjin (China), Sep 1: The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Monday strongly condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam and endorsed India’s position that “double standards” in the fight against terrorism are unacceptable.
The declaration, issued at the end of the two-day annual summit attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and other leaders, reaffirmed the grouping’s resolve to combat terrorism, separatism and extremism in all forms.
“The member states strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22,” the declaration said, while also denouncing attacks in Pakistan’s Balochistan province. “Perpetrators, organisers and sponsors of such attacks must be brought to justice,” it added.
The SCO stressed that terrorism cannot be used for “mercenary purposes” and reiterated that no justification or double standard is acceptable in countering the menace. It called on the international community to intensify efforts, including preventing cross-border movement of terrorists, and underlined the UN’s central role in implementing global counter-terror strategies.
On regional security, the declaration expressed deep concern over escalating conflicts. The member states condemned Israeli military strikes in Gaza that have led to heavy civilian casualties and a worsening humanitarian crisis. They also criticised US-Israel strikes on Iran in June, terming them violations of international law and the UN Charter, and warned such actions undermine peace and stability.
The SCO also addressed economic challenges, noting its role in restoring the global economy and stabilising supply chains. It supported reforms in global economic governance, advocating an open, transparent, fair and non-discriminatory multilateral trading system.
The leaders stressed cooperation to ensure sustainable development, strengthen regional stability, and address common challenges.
The summit’s outcomes highlighted the grouping’s dual priorities—counterterrorism and economic resilience. By backing India’s stance against double standards on terrorism, the SCO sent a strong message of unity, while also voicing concern over regional conflicts threatening peace in West Asia.
