SCO summit adopts joint declaration condemning Jaffar, Khuzdar, Pahalgam attacks

Leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Monday adopted a joint declaration condemning recent acts of terrorism in Pakistan and India, even as tensions between the two neighbours continue over allegations of each other’s involvement in militant violence.

The adoption of the Tianjin Declaration came during the SCO summit hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping in the northern port city of Tianjin, where more than 20 heads of state and government, along with leaders of international organisations, gathered for the two-day event. The meeting marked the largest-ever assembly of the SCO since its inception in 2001.

Terror Attacks Highlighted in SCO Statement

The declaration specifically condemned three major terrorist attacks this year:

• Jaffar Express Train Attack (March 11, 2025): Militants from the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) ambushed the Peshawar-bound train carrying 440 passengers, killing and injuring several before security forces concluded a two-day rescue operation on March 12.
• Khuzdar School Bus Bombing (May 21, 2025): A devastating blast near Zero Point on the Quetta-Karachi highway killed at least six people — including three students — and left over 40 others injured, most of them children traveling to the Army Public School in Khuzdar Cantonment.
• Pahalgam Mass Shooting (April 22, 2025): Gunmen opened fire at tourists in the scenic town of Pahalgam, occupied Kashmir, killing 26 people, including Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, and wounding 17 others. It was the deadliest civilian attack in the region since 2000.

In each case, Islamabad and New Delhi traded accusations of complicity, deepening mistrust between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

Earlier this year, the SCO defence ministers’ summit had failed to produce a joint statement after India declined to endorse the draft that omitted a reference to the Pahalgam massacre.

SCO Leaders’ Commitment Against Terrorism

In the Tianjin Declaration, SCO leaders expressed “deepest sympathy and condolences” to victims’ families and stressed that perpetrators and sponsors of terrorism must be brought to justice.

“Member states strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, stress that double standards in the fight against terrorism are unacceptable, and call on the international community to combat terrorism, including cross-border movement of terrorists,” the statement said.

The declaration reaffirmed the SCO’s commitment to fighting terrorism, separatism, extremism, arms trafficking, drug smuggling, and transnational crime, while recognising the central role of sovereign states in addressing such threats.

The leaders also approved:

• The Agreement on the Universal Centre for Countering Challenges and Threats
• The Agreement on the SCO Anti-Drug Centre
• A proposal to establish a Centre for Strategic Studies on Security

Additionally, members agreed to actively implement the 2025–2027 Programme of Cooperation on countering terrorism and related threats.

Wider Agenda: Strategy 2035 and Economic Cooperation

The summit further adopted a 10-year Development Strategy until 2035, outlining priorities for peace, security, economic development, and cultural exchange.

Key points included:

• Strengthening the multilateral trading system, especially amid US tariff disputes affecting global markets.
• Deepening economic integration within the SCO, which represents 24% of the world’s landmass, 42% of the global population, and nearly 25% of global GDP.
• Recognition of China’s growing role, as its trade with SCO members, observers, and partners reached $890 billion in 2024.

The leaders also celebrated the 80th anniversary of World War II victory and the founding of the United Nations, reaffirming their commitment to multilateralism.

At the Tianjin meeting, the SCO also streamlined its membership categories by merging “observer” and “dialogue partner” into the single designation of “SCO Partner.” Laos was formally admitted under this new status.

Regional Conflicts: Middle East & Afghanistan

On the Middle East, the SCO expressed grave concern over the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and safe humanitarian access.

The leaders condemned Israeli and US airstrikes on Iran in June, which targeted civilian and nuclear energy sites, calling them a violation of international law and a threat to global stability.

On Afghanistan, SCO members reiterated support for an inclusive government representing all ethnic and political groups, and pledged continued cooperation to help the war-torn country emerge as a peaceful, neutral state free of terrorism and narcotics.

Looking Ahead

With China passing the rotating SCO chairmanship to Kyrgyzstan, the next leaders’ summit will be held under the theme:
“25 Years of the SCO: Together Towards Sustainable Peace, Development, and Prosperity.”