Shun double standards in combating terror: PM
TIANJIN (China), Sept 1: The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Monday strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and concurred with India’s position that “double standards” in the fight against terrorism are unacceptable.
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The influential grouping listed its strong resolve to combat terrorism in a declaration that was unveiled at the end of its two-day annual summit at the Chinese port city that was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russia’s Vladimir Putin and many other global leaders.
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The SCO member states also condemned the military strikes by Israel in Gaza as it has led to numerous casualties among the civilian population and a catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Strip.
The declaration mentioned ways to enhance regional security and identified combating terrorism as a major challenge.
“The member states strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22,” it said.
The SCO member states also condemned the terror attacks in Khuzdar and on Jaffer Express, both in Pakistan’s Balochistan province.
“They (member states) expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the dead and the wounded. They further stated that perpetrators, organisers and sponsors of such attacks must be brought to justice,” according to the declaration.
It said the SCO, while reaffirming its firm commitment to the fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism, stresses the inadmissibility of attempts to use terrorist, separatist and extremist groups for “mercenary purposes”.
The SCO said it recognised the leading role of sovereign states and their competent authorities in countering terrorist and extremist threats.
“The 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,” it said.
The SCO said the UN has the central role to fully implement the relevant UN Security Council resolution and the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in accordance with the UN Charter and the principles of international law, in order to jointly combat all terrorist groups.
The Pahalgam terror attack was not only an assault on India’s conscience, but was also an open challenge to every nation that believes in humanity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday, strongly pitching for shunning “double standards” in combating terrorism.
In the presence of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chinese President Xi Jinping and many other global leaders, Modi, addressing the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), said fighting terrorism is the “duty towards humanity”.
In a clear message to Pakistan and those supporting it, Modi asked: “It is natural to ask — can the open support for terrorism by certain countries ever be acceptable to us?”
“We must state it clearly and in one voice: double standards on terrorism are unacceptable. Together, we must oppose terrorism in every form and manifestation. This is our responsibility towards humanity,” he said.
In response to the Pahalgam terror attack, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terrorist infrastructure in territories controlled by Pakistan.
The strikes triggered four days of intense clashes that ended with an understanding on stopping the military actions on May 10.
In his remarks, the Prime Minister said India has been bearing the grave scars of ruthless terrorism for the last several decades.
“Countless mothers have lost their children, and innumerable children have been left orphaned. Recently, we witnessed the most heinous face of terrorism in Pahalgam,” he said. (PTI)
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