At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit held in Tianjin, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif raised the issue of bilateral treaties and water-sharing agreements. He said that all member countries of the SCO should respect such agreements. His remarks came in response to India’s recent decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan. India took this step after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 people.

Sharif expressed concern over the suspension of the treaty, which ensures Pakistan’s share of water from rivers flowing from India. He said Pakistan expects uninterrupted access to its rightful share of water under the agreements already in place. His statement reflected Pakistan’s discomfort and frustration over India’s move.

On the other hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi used the SCO platform to highlight the global threat of terrorism. Addressing the plenary session, PM Modi said that terrorism and separatism remain among the most serious challenges to peace and stability worldwide. He stressed that terrorism is not limited to India alone but is a problem that endangers humanity across the globe.

Modi called for stronger and united action against terrorism, radicalisation, and terror financing. He specifically named terror groups such as Al Qaeda while stressing the need for global cooperation to curb their networks. Referring to the recent Pahalgam attack, he said that countries that openly support terrorism must be held accountable.

The SCO member states strongly condemned the Pahalgam attack and expressed solidarity with the victims and their families. They also emphasised that the perpetrators and those who sponsor such acts must be brought to justice.

The discussions at the SCO Summit reflected two key concerns, Pakistan’s frustration over the Indus Waters Treaty suspension and India’s strong stand against terrorism. Together, they underline the tension between the two neighbours while also highlighting the need for collective action on global challenges like terrorism.