Shehbaz Sharif in attendance,
The SCO declaration leaves Pakistan red-faced
Perpetrators, organisers and sponsors must be brought to justice': SCO declaration
Prime Minister Modi warned against double standards on terrorism, citing the recent attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam.
Modi used his address at the much awaitednShanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit to deliver a pointed message on terrorism, questioning whether the open support extended by "certain nations" to terror outfits could be tolerated any longer.
Speaking in China's Tianjin, where Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif was also in attendanc and also leadership of Turkey, Russia and China; Modi underlined that "terrorism is not just a threat to the security of any one country, but to humanity as a whole".
India has suffered the "brunt of terrorism" for four decades, and thanked partner nations that stood by New Delhi in its fight.
"India has been bearing the brunt of terrorism for the last four decades. Recently, we saw the worst side of terrorism in Pahalgam. I express my gratitude to the friendly country that stood with us in this hour of grief," the Prime Minister said.
"We have to say clearly and unanimously that no double standards are acceptable on terrorism. This attack (Pahalgam) was an open challenge to every country and person who believes in humanity.
In such a situation, it is natural to raise the question of whether the open support of terrorism by some countries can be acceptable to us. We have to unanimously oppose terrorism in every form and colour. This is our duty towards humanity," he said.
Modi said India has taken the lead in counter-terror operations under the SCO's Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), including a recent joint information campaign against Al-Qaeda and affiliated groups.
"India took the initiative to fight Al-Qaeda and the terrorist organisations associated with it by leading the Joint Information Operation. We raised our voice against terror financing. I express gratitude for your support in it," he added.
Furthermore, PM Modi pointed out that India has played a very positive role as a member of the SCO.
"India's vision and policy for the SCO is based on three important pillars. S - Security, C- Connectivity and O - Opportunity," he said.
SCO declaration condemns Pahalgam terror attack
This is significant since the Pakistan-China collusion in the Operation Sindoor had been raised by Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, while criticising the government.
Two months after India opted out of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s statement at the defence ministers’ level meeting over differences on terrorism, the SCO declaration Monday took a “strong stance against terrorism” and the member countries — including Pakistan and China — condemned the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist 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.”
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.
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