SCO Condemns Pahalgam Terror Attack
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) leaders issued a joint declaration in September 2025 strongly condemning terrorism. The statement explicitly mentioned the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people. This marks development as earlier defence minister-level meetings had avoided mentioning the attack. The declaration also condemned terrorist attacks in Pakistan’s Balochistan region. The move reflects evolving geopolitics and China’s tentative shift in its stance towards terrorism-related issues involving India and Pakistan.
SCO’s Declaration
The SCO leaders’ statement condemned terrorism in all forms. It expressed condolences to victims of the Pahalgam attack. The declaration also mentioned the Jaffer Express hijacking and the Khuzdar school bus bombing in Pakistan. Earlier, India had pushed for explicit references to terrorism and cross-border threats in SCO documents. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had refused to sign the June 2025 defence ministers’ statement due to Pakistan’s objections. The leaders’ summit in Tianjin marked a breakthrough with the clear mention of Pahalgam.
Significance of Mentioning Pahalgam Attack
The Pahalgam attack had been omitted in previous SCO defence meetings’ drafts. Its explicit inclusion signals increased pressure to address terrorism openly. India’s insistence on naming the attack marks its demand for accountability. The declaration calls for bringing perpetrators and sponsors of terrorism to justice. It also stresses combating cross-border terrorist movements. This reflects India’s efforts to internationalise its security concerns within regional forums.
China’s Role and Strategic Calculations
China has historically shielded Pakistan from terrorism-related criticism in international platforms. It blocked the listing of Masood Azhar as a global terrorist for years. China also opposed the blacklisting of Sajid Mir in 2023. These actions demonstrated Beijing’s support for Pakistan as its all-weather friend. However, the Tianjin declaration’s mention of Pahalgam suggests China’s willingness to accommodate India’s concerns to some extent. This may be linked to improving India-China ties after Prime Minister Modi’s visit to China after seven years.
Pakistan-China Relations and Regional Dynamics
Despite the declaration, no direct reference was made to Pakistan’s role in terrorism. China continues to maintain close strategic and economic ties with Pakistan. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor remains a key component of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative. The complex India-China-Pakistan triangle involves unresolved geopolitical issues. While the SCO statement shows progress in addressing terrorism, deep mistrust and rivalry persist. China’s balancing act between India and Pakistan remains a critical factor in regional security.
Implications for India-China Relations
The Tianjin declaration could be seen as a diplomatic gesture by China to improve ties with India. The explicit mention of Pahalgam may help build trust on security issues. However, India expects more concrete actions from China to curb cross-border terrorism. The evolving SCO dynamics reflect broader shifts in Asian geopolitics. India and China’s engagement in multilateral forums like SCO will influence regional stability and counter-terrorism cooperation.
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