The Tianjin summit served as a platform for leaders to discuss regional security challenges. While the joint declaration did not directly name any country, it highlighted the collective responsibility of member states to address terrorism and prevent its use for mercenary purposes.
BY PC Bureau
September 1, 2025: India scored a diplomatic win at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, as member states explicitly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and endorsed India’s call for a unified stance against terrorism.
“The Member States strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on 22 April 2025. They expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the dead and the wounded. They further stated that perpetrators, organisers and sponsors of such attacks must be brought to justice,” the statement said.
The joint declaration echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s insistence that “double standards” in the fight against terror are unacceptable—a message that carries extra weight with Pakistan, represented at the summit by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
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The SCO statement expressed “deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the dead and wounded” following the attack that claimed 26 lives. Member states urged that all perpetrators, organizers, and sponsors of such attacks be brought to justice. They also stressed that using terrorist, separatist, and extremist groups for mercenary purposes is intolerable and reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms must be combated, including cross-border movements of terrorists.
Speaking at the summit, Prime Minister Modi highlighted India’s four-decade-long struggle against terrorism. “The recent Pahalgam attack was not just an assault on India’s soul—it was a challenge to every country that stands for humanity,” he said. Modi called on SCO members to speak “with one voice” against terrorism, stressing that security, peace, and stability are essential for national development. His language was reflected in the joint Tianjin declaration.
Today, the SCO Member States have strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on 22 April 2025, declaration.
This is an important development, showcases that sponsored terrorism will not find support in our region.
In times of global uncertainty, India under the… pic.twitter.com/mPhnHbowoN
— Raju Bista (@RajuBistaBJP) September 1, 2025
The summit also served as a display of solidarity among key Eurasian powers. Prime Minister Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese Premier Xi Jinping were seen exchanging handshakes, smiles, and gestures of camaraderie, signaling unity amid rising global tensions and the ongoing US tariff dispute. Modi and Putin were notably seen walking together, an optics-heavy moment interpreted as a signal that India-Russia ties remain steadfast despite external pressures.
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The Tianjin Declaration marks a significant diplomatic development, as it reflects a collective stance against terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, within a multilateral framework that includes Pakistan. This unified condemnation is seen as a diplomatic win for India, as it underscores the international community’s commitment to combating terrorism without double standards.
The Pahalgam attack and its subsequent condemnation at the SCO Summit highlight the ongoing challenges in addressing cross-border terrorism and the importance of regional cooperation in ensuring peace and security. The adoption of the Tianjin Declaration signifies a collective commitment to uphold the principles of peace, security, and stability in the region.
