The SCO Tianjin Declaration strongly condemned the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack saying that the perpetrators, organisers and sponsors of such attacks must be brought to justice. Without naming Pakistan, PM Narendra Modi in his address warned member-states against double standards on terrorism and questioned if the open support for terrorism by certain countries can ever be acceptable to the member-states.
While the strong condemnation of Pahalgam allowed India to endorse the declaration, the SCO in the same breath, and as a compromise sought by Pakistan, condemned the terrorist attacks on Jaffar Express in March and another attack in Khuzdar in May this year.
Also read: Brothers-in-arms? Modi-Putin chemistry top talk point on Chinese social mediaPakistan has accused India of having a role in the Jaffar Express attack. Defence minister Rajnath Singh had earlier refused to sign on to a joint statement by SCO that didn’t mention the Pahalgam attack on civilians in J&K.
“We have to say clearly, and in one voice, that no double standards on terrorism will be acceptable. We have to oppose terrorism together, in every colour and form. This is our responsibility towards humanity,” said Modi in his remarks at the summit.
Also read: India joins others in condemning US & Israeli strikes on Iran The PM said that SCO stood for 3 pillars - Security, Connectivity and Opportunity. In his remarks, Modi mentioned the Pahalgam attack, calling it an assault not just on the conscience of India but also an open challenge to every country and every individual who believes in humanity.
“For the past 4 decades, India has been bearing the grave scars of ruthless terrorism. Countless mothers have lost their children, and innumerable children have been left orphaned. Recently, we witnessed the most heinous face of terrorism in Pahalgam,” said the PM, thanking all nations that stood by India.
Also read: Amid Trump’s tariffs, SCO opposes coercive measures Modi also said that Terrorism was not only a threat to the security of individual nations, but a shared challenge to all of humanity. “No country, no society, no citizen can consider themselves completely safe from it. That is why India has consistently stressed the importance of unity in the fight against terrorism,” he said, recalling India’s initiative under the SCO counterterrorism mechanism to counter Al-Qaeda and its affiliated terrorist organizations. He backed joint measures against radicalization, extremism and separatism and thanked SCO for supporting India’s position on terror-financing.
The Declaration strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, stressed that double standards in the fight against terrorism are unacceptable, and called on the international community to combat terrorism, including cross-border movement of terrorists.
On connectivity, India again was the only SCO State to not back China’s BRI because its flagship project, China Pakistan Economic Corridor, passes through Pakistan occupied Kashmir. The PM said in his remarks “connectivity that bypasses sovereignty ultimately loses both trust and meaning”.
Modi underlined that efforts towards connectivity must uphold the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, saying this is also enshrined in the core principles of the SCO Charter. He also urged SCO to increase mutual cooperation for reforms of global institutions and call unanimously for UN reform.
“To confine the aspirations of the Global South to outdated frameworks is to deny justice to future generations. The colourful dreams of the new generation cannot be displayed on a black-and-white screen. It is time to change the screen,” he said.
The PM also underscored that India has been an active member of SCO, which many see as an important platform for India to stress its strategic autonomy, and has always contributed in a constructive and positive manner.
While underlining the significance of sovereignty, Modi backed strong connectivity saying it does not merely facilitate trade but also opens the doors to trust and development. “It is with this vision that we are working on initiatives such as the Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor. Through these, we can enhance our linkages with Afghanistan and Central Asia,” said the PM.
On opportunity, Modi backed more cooperation and reform recalling that in 2023, under India’s presidency, the SCO witnessed “fresh energy and ideas” along with new areas of cooperation like start-ups and innovation, traditional medicine and digital inclusion. To strengthen people-to-people ties, he proposed creation of a Civilizational Dialogue Forum under the SCO. “Such a platform will allow us to share the richness of our ancient civilizations, art, literature, and traditions on a global stage,” said Modi.
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