At the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, India secured a major diplomatic breakthrough as member states collectively condemned the Pahalgam terror attack of April 2025. In the presence of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the SCO declaration unequivocally stated that “perpetrators, organisers and sponsors must be brought to justice.” The move not only validated India’s long-standing concerns but also underscored a rare consensus against terrorism within a forum where China and Pakistan wield significant influence.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi used the platform to highlight the need for zero tolerance on terror, cautioning against “double standards” in dealing with extremists. His intervention reframed the Pahalgam strike, which claimed 26 lives including tourists , as not just a bilateral dispute, but an assault on global security. For India, this was a multi-layered victory: it sent a strong diplomatic message to Pakistan, reaffirmed regional solidarity against cross-border terrorism, and positioned India as a credible voice for stability within Eurasian geopolitics.
The condemnation also comes at a time when India has demonstrated decisive military responses, from Operation Mahadev against the attackers to retaliatory precision strikes under Operation Sindoor. By aligning counterterrorism with its broader vision of Security, Connectivity and Opportunity, India has strengthened its credibility within the SCO while reinforcing its global image as a responsible power demanding accountability.
In a shifting world order where terrorism often becomes a geopolitical bargaining chip, the SCO’s stand shaped in large part by India’s push signals a clear message: the era of ambiguity on terror is narrowing, and justice for victims is now a collective imperative.
