SCO Strongly Condemns Pahalgam Terror Attack, Calls for Justice & Global Unity Against Terrorism

SCO's Strong Condemnation of the Pahalgam Terror Attack: A Comprehensive Overview

SCO Summit 2025

On 22 April 2025, a devastating terrorist attack occurred near Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, claiming the lives of 26 civilians, including Hindu tourists, a Christian tourist, and a local Muslim individual. Armed attackers carrying M4 carbines and AK-47 rifles entered the scenic Baisaran Valley through surrounding forests. The Resistance Front (TRF)—linked to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba—initially claimed responsibility, citing opposition to non-local settlement following the revocation of Kashmir’s special status; however, they retracted the claim within days. This atrocity has been recognized as the deadliest civilian-targeted attack in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks.Wikipedia

United Nations Response

The incident prompted global attention. On 25 April 2025, the UN Security Council issued a press statement condemning the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir in the strongest terms.UN Press ReleasePlatform for Peace and Humanity Additionally, UN Secretary-General António Guterres personally denounced the attack and expressed deep concern over the escalating India–Pakistan tensions that followed.United Nations Peacekeeping

SCO Summit and Summit Declaration

In early September 2025, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) convened its 25th Council of Heads of State meeting in Tianjin, China. During this summit, the SCO’s Tianjin Declaration strongly condemned the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. The declaration conveyed the "deepest sympathy and condolences" to families of the dead and wounded and emphasized that the “perpetrators, organizers, and sponsors” of the attack must be brought to justice.The Economic TimesThe Times of IndiaOrganiserHindustan TimesNews on AirDD News

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi used the platform to underline the broader dangers of terrorism. He declared that the Pahalgam massacre was a threat not just to India but to regional security overall. Modi emphasized that terrorism cannot be justified under any circumstances and starkly cautioned against "double standards" in combating terror. His remarks were aimed at urging the SCO to adopt a united, consistent approach to counterterrorism.The Economic Times+3The Economic Times+3The Economic Times+3

Significance and Diplomatic Implications

This unified condemnation represents a diplomatic win for India, as it spotlighted the Pahalgam tragedy on a multilateral stage that includes Pakistan as a member. India’s stance against terrorism was bolstered by such collective condemnation and support from major SCO members like China and Russia.OrganiserThe Economic Times+1The Times of IndiaHindustan Times

However, the road to consensus wasn’t seamless. In June 2025, at the SCO Defence Ministers' meeting in Qingdao, India refused to endorse the joint communique because it omitted reference to the Pahalgam attack, while mentioning militant activity in Balochistan—an omission India viewed as aligning with Pakistan’s narrative. India demanded accountability and firm acknowledgment of cross-border terrorism as a policy instrument.AP NewsReutersThe Times of IndiaWikipediaPoliteia Research Foundation - PRF World

Broader Context

The attack and subsequent diplomatic responses occurred within the complex backdrop of SCO dynamics. India and Pakistan’s differing narratives have long complicated consensus on terrorism-related issues within the SCO. While India pushed to highlight cross-border terrorism, Pakistan resisted references that aligned with India’s Kashmir-centric framing.CACI AnalystChatham House

Aspect	Key Points
Attack Details	26 civilians killed; perpetrators armed; TRF linked to LeT initially claimed responsibility.
UN Reaction	Strong condemnation by the Security Council; UN Secretary-General denounced the attack.
SCO Response	25th summit in Tianjin resulted in a declaration condemning the attack, expressing deepest sympathy, and calling for accountability.
Diplomatic Importance	Reinforced India’s anti-terror stance internationally; emphasized need to avoid double standards.
Earlier SCO Impasse	India had withheld approval at the defense minister level over omission of direct reference to attack.

Government Source Links

Despite thorough searching, no direct statements or press releases from official Indian government portals or SCO’s official domain specifically regarding the SCO's condemnation of the Pahalgam attack were found. If you would like, I can assist in locating official speeches or documents, such as on the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) or the Press Information Bureau (PIB) site, though none were accessible via my current search.