‘Perpetrators, organisers and sponsors must be brought to justice’: SCO declaration condemns Pahalgam terror attack

The Tianjin declaration, which was adopted by the SCO leaders, said, “They expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the dead and the wounded. They further stated that perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of such attacks must be brought to justice.”

The joint declaration said, “The Member States, while reaffirming their firm commitment to the fight against terrorism, separatism, and extremism, stress the inadmissibility of attempts to use terrorist, separatist and extremist groups for mercenary purposes. They recognize the leading role of sovereign States and their competent authorities in countering terrorist and extremist threats.”

“The Member States strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, stress that double standards in the fight against terrorism are unacceptable, and call on the international community to combat terrorism, including cross-border movement of terrorists.”

This is significant since the Pakistan-China collusion in the Operation Sindoor, which was India’s military response to the Pahalgam terror attack, had been raised by Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, while criticising the government.

Indian military officials had publicly said that Pakistan used Chinese weapons against India during the four-day military confrontation, and also China had supplied live intelligence during the hostilities.

Attacks in Pakistan, ‘catastrophic humanitarian situation’ in Gaza

Referring to the terrorist attacks on Jaffer Express on March 11 and in Khuzdar on May 21 in Pakistan, the joint statement also said that the member states strongly condemned them.

On the issue of territorial integrity and sovereignty, the Tianjin declaration said, “Member States advocate respect for the right of peoples to independently and democratically choose their own paths of political and socio-economic development, and emphasise that the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity of states, equality, mutual benefit, non-interference in internal affairs, and non-use of force or threat of force are the basis for the sustainable development of international relations.” This is an important paragraph considering the border standoff and the dispute between India and China.

The Tianjin declaration also expressed deep concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza. “Reiterating their deep concern over the continuing escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the member states strongly condemn the actions that have led to numerous casualties among the civilian population and a catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.”

“They stress the need to ensure an immediate, complete and sustainable ceasefire, access to humanitarian aid, and intensified efforts to achieve peace, stability and security for all residents of the region. Member States note that the only possible way to ensure peace and stability in the Middle East is through a comprehensive and just settlement of the Palestinian question,” it said.

The SCO leaders also “strongly condemned” the military strikes by Israel and the US against Iran in June 2025. “Such aggressive actions against civilian targets, including nuclear energy infrastructure, which resulted in the death of civilians, are a gross violation of the principles and norms of international law and the UN Charter, and an infringement on the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran. They undermine regional and international security and have serious implications for global peace and stability.”