SCO condemns Pahalgam terror attack in presence of Shahbaz Sharif

In a significant diplomatic victory for India, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) has issued a strong condemnation of the recent brutal terror attack in Pahalgam, which resulted in the deaths of 26 innocent people. This move came after a powerful address by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the SCO summit, where he called for a united front against terrorism and stressed that "double standards" in combating the menace are unacceptable. The official summit declaration echoed the Prime Minister's stern message, reflecting a consensus among member states, including Pakistan.

PM Modi, speaking in the presence of Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, had highlighted the Pahalgam attack as a clear example of the "ugly face of terrorism." He asserted that the incident was not just an attack on India but a challenge to all countries that believe in humanity. This direct and unequivocal message appeared to have a major impact, as the joint statement from the SCO members specifically condemned the attack and called for its perpetrators, organizers, and sponsors to be brought to justice.

The SCO declaration also reaffirmed the bloc's commitment to fighting terrorism, separatism, and extremism, and emphasized that using such groups for "mercenary purposes" is inadmissible. This language closely mirrored PM Modi's call for accountability and a unified approach. The condemnation is seen as a major step forward, as it marks a rare instance where the international body has explicitly supported India's position on a specific terror incident, especially with Pakistan as a member.

Beyond the issue of terrorism, the SCO members also addressed other pressing security concerns. They called for an end to the "cross-border movement" of terrorists, a point that India has repeatedly raised in various international forums. The joint statement also reaffirmed the need for all member states to work together to ensure peace and stability in the region.