SCO Condemns Pahalgam Terror Attack in Tianjin Declaration, Avoids Naming Pakistan

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Monday strongly condemned the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, while calling for a unified global approach to combat terrorism. However, the joint declaration issued at the Tianjin summit notably refrained from naming Pakistan, despite India’s repeated allegations of Islamabad providing safe havens to terror groups.

The declaration expressed solidarity with the victims, stating:
"The Member States strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025. They expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the dead and the wounded. They further stated that perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of such attacks must be brought to justice."

While the statement emphasized an uncompromising stance against terrorism, it also underscored the inadmissibility of using extremist groups for political or strategic gains.
"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 recognize the leading role of sovereign States and their competent authorities in countering terrorist and extremist threats," the declaration added.

Interestingly, the Tianjin declaration also condemned recent terror incidents in Pakistan, including the Jaffer Express bombing on March 11 and the Khuzdar attack on May 21, reflecting the forum’s commitment to countering terror across the region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day visit to China for the summit, raised the issue of double standards in the global fight against terrorism during his address to SCO leaders.
"We have to say clearly and unanimously that no double standards are acceptable on terrorism. This attack (Pahalgam) was an open challenge to every country and person who believes in humanity. It is natural to question whether the open support of terrorism by some countries can be acceptable to us. We have to unanimously oppose terrorism in every form and color. This is our duty towards humanity," Modi asserted.

The Prime Minister’s remarks came a day after his bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, aimed at stabilizing ties following years of border tensions in eastern Ladakh, which were formally resolved in October 2024.