India Joins SCO Consensus in Condemning Attacks on Iran; Calls for End to Double Standards on Terrorism
BISHKEK – In a significant diplomatic alignment, India has joined other member-states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to reiterate the bloc’s condemnation of recent military strikes on Iranian territory. The joint position, solidified in the Bishkek Declaration, highlights growing regional consensus on the need to preserve Iranian sovereignty and stability amidst escalating Middle Eastern tensions.
The declaration marks the second time the SCO has formally denounced the strikes against Iran since the conflict intensified earlier this year. While the document underscores the bloc’s collective concern over the humanitarian and economic toll—noting that these attacks violate international law and the UN Charter—it notably refrains from explicitly naming the United States and Israel, marking a shift from the sharper rhetoric seen in last year’s Tianjin Declaration.
Strengthening India-Iran Ties
The diplomatic move comes on the heels of a high-level meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the summit. During their discussion, the two leaders explored avenues to expand bilateral cooperation. President Pezeshkian specifically sought India’s diplomatic intervention to help bring an end to the ongoing hostilities, signaling Tehran’s trust in New Delhi’s role as a balancing power in the region.
Analysts note that India’s participation in this collective statement represents a notable evolution in its foreign policy. Having previously distanced itself from similar bloc-level condemnations of Israel, India’s current endorsement of the Bishkek Declaration suggests a recalibration aimed at ensuring regional peace through a comprehensive resolution of the Palestinian question and a commitment to diplomatic dialogue.
A Firm Stance on Global Security
Beyond the immediate crisis in Iran, the Bishkek Declaration served as a platform for the SCO to address broader security challenges. A core component of the declaration—and a major focus for India—was the unequivocal condemnation of terrorism.
The member-states issued a stern warning against the use of “double standards” in counter-terrorism efforts. The declaration called upon the international community to dismantle support networks for terrorists, specifically highlighting the threat posed by the cross-border movement of extremist groups.
“Member states, reaffirming their firm commitment to combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism, emphasise the inadmissibility of attempts to exploit terrorist, separatist, and extremist groups for selfish purposes,” the document stated.
Resisting Unilateral Coercion
The summit also highlighted a growing pushback against Western-led economic policies. In a thinly veiled critique of unilateral sanctions, the SCO leadership advocated for a “fair multilateral trading system” anchored in the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Leaders collectively slammed the use of “unilateral coercive measures,” arguing that such policies are detrimental to global food and energy security and continue to exert a negative impact on the stability of the global economy. By aligning with these positions, the SCO has sent a clear signal that it seeks to fortify its own economic and security frameworks against external pressures, positioning itself as a pivotal bloc in the emerging multipolar world order.
