India to press for firm stand on terror in joint SCO declaration

As the SCO summit enters its final day in Tianjin on Monday, New Delhi’s focus is on the joint declaration, particularly its reference to terrorism. India is hoping the document will contain for stronger wording against cross-border terrorism, an issue it has consistently highlighted at regional and multilateral forums.

PM Narendra Modi will address the plenary session, where, according to senior MEA officials, he will outline “India’s approach to foster regional cooperation” under the SCO framework.

Notably, at the SCO defence ministers’ meeting in Qingdao in June -- held weeks after the Pahalgam terrorist attack -- India had refused to sign the joint statement, objecting to the absence of any reference to cross-border terrorism. At the time, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh warned against “double standards” in the fight against terror, stressing that sponsors of terrorism must be held accountable. He termed terrorism, radicalisation and extremism the “biggest threats” to peace, stability and mutual trust in the region, urging coordinated global action.

Officials maintain that for the SCO to retain credibility, its declarations must reflect shared security concerns, particularly state-backed terrorism. Diplomatic sources indicated that New Delhi would press for the Tianjin declaration to explicitly recognise terrorism as a regional challenge requiring collective commitment.

“The SCO was established with the primary goal of countering the three evils of terrorism, separatism and extremism, which remain a challenge. Today, as a regional platform, there is a broader range of cooperation among SCO members,” MEA Secretary (West) Tanmaya Lal said ahead of the summit.

India has consistently highlighted cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan, urging the SCO to step up security cooperation and counterterrorism mechanisms. During India’s presidency last year, the grouping adopted a joint statement on cooperation to counter radicalisation linked to separatism, extremism and terrorism.

The SCO now comprises 10 members, including Pakistan, whose Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is in Tianjin for the summit.

Since joining the organisation in 2017, PM Modi has attended every SCO summit, barring 2024 when External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar represented him in Astana.

Whether the Tianjin declaration contains a strong condemnation of cross-border terrorism or dilutes it down will be the key point of attention when leaders adopt the document on Monday.