The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin adopted a strong declaration condemning terrorism in Pakistan and India after a series of deadly attacks earlier this year. The statement marked a breakthrough, as an earlier SCO defence ministers’ meeting in June had collapsed without consensus when India refused to sign a draft that excluded mention of the April 22 Pahalgam attack.
The SCO, a 10-nation Eurasian bloc that includes China, Russia, Pakistan, India and Iran, convened its largest-ever gathering in the northern Chinese port city. Hosted by President Xi Jinping, the two-day summit brought together leaders from nearly 20 nations and international organisations under the “SCO Plus” format, underscoring the grouping’s growing global reach since its establishment in 2001.
In the Tianjin Declaration, member states condemned the Pahalgam attack in occupied Kashmir on April 22, the hijacking of the Jaffar Express train on March 11 in Pakistan, and the May 21 bombing of a school bus in Khuzdar, which killed students and civilians. Leaders offered condolences to the victims’ families and insisted that those responsible — whether perpetrators, organisers or sponsors — must be held accountable.
The declaration reaffirmed SCO members’ commitment to fighting terrorism, separatism and extremism, rejecting attempts to exploit militant groups for political or strategic purposes. It also stressed that sovereign states and their security institutions must take the lead in combating such threats.
In addition to terrorism, the leaders highlighted the need for joint action against drug trafficking, arms smuggling and other forms of transnational organised crime. Agreements were signed to establish a Universal Centre for Countering Challenges and Threats to SCO Security, as well as a specialised Anti-Drug Centre. A proposal to set up a Centre for Strategic Studies on security was also noted.
The bloc announced it would continue implementing its 2025–2027 Programme of Cooperation against terrorism, separatism and extremism. It called on the international community to combat terrorism without “double standards” and reaffirmed support for a UN-led framework, including the adoption of a comprehensive convention on international terrorism.
Beyond security, the summit also advanced broader cooperation. Leaders adopted 24 documents covering security, economic and cultural exchanges, and endorsed a 10-year SCO Development Strategy until 2035 to guide deeper collaboration in peace, stability and prosperity across the region.
Against the backdrop of U.S. tariff measures that have unsettled global markets, the SCO expressed support for the multilateral trading system and called for fairer economic practices. The declaration also commemorated the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the founding of the United Nations, underscoring the group’s commitment to multilateralism.
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