Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his address at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, made a strong appeal that all member countries must stand united and reject any “double standards” on terrorism. Soon after his statement, the regional bloc echoed India’s position in its joint declaration, marking a significant diplomatic success for India.

The declaration specifically mentioned the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 innocent people lost their lives. The SCO members strongly condemned the attack and extended their condolences to the families of the victims. They further stressed that the perpetrators, organisers, and sponsors of such violence must be held accountable and brought to justice.

The statement also underlined that no country should use terrorist, separatist, or extremist groups for political or selfish purposes. It firmly rejected the idea of applying double standards in dealing with terrorism and called for global cooperation to prevent cross-border terror activities.

This is considered a big win for India, as Pakistan, which has long been accused of supporting terrorism in India, is a member of the SCO, and its Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was present at the summit. Despite this, the final declaration reflected India’s concerns and language on terrorism.

In his speech, Prime Minister Modi highlighted how India has suffered from terrorism for over four decades. He said thousands of families have been devastated, and many mothers have lost their children to this menace. Referring to the Pahalgam attack, he said it was not only an attack on India’s soul but also a challenge to humanity. “Is it acceptable that some countries openly support terrorism?” he questioned.

PM Modi added that peace, stability, and security are necessary for development, but terrorism, separatism, and radicalism remain major obstacles. He urged the global community to oppose terrorism in every form, without discrimination. “We must, in one voice, reject double standards on terrorism. This is our duty towards humanity,” he said.

The summit, held in Tianjin, China, also became a platform for showing strength and unity among Eurasian powers. PM Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese Premier Xi Jinping were seen exchanging warm greetings, which sent a message of solidarity at a time when global tensions are rising.