ISLAMABAD: In a diplomatic win for Pakistan, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) issued a joint statement condemning terrorism in Balochistan, while ignoring India’s efforts to link Pakistan to the recent Pahalgam incident.
The meeting, held in Qingdao and chaired by China, saw India facing rejection from multiple member states when it tried to push for anti-Pakistan language in the official declaration.
Instead, the final statement highlighted acts of terror in Balochistan, causing discomfort for New Delhi, which ultimately refused to sign the declaration.
Diplomatic Victory for Pakistan
Pakistan was represented by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who attended alongside counterparts from Iran, Russia, Belarus, and China.
Despite India’s push through Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the collective stance of SCO members favored balanced diplomacy and regional cooperation.
China’s leadership during the session emphasized the importance of multilateralism and called for resistance against unilateralism and aggressive policies disrupting global peace.
China, Russia Strengthen Regional Role
Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun described the summit as a platform to restore balance in an increasingly unstable world.
Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov echoed strong support for China and highlighted the growth of bilateral relations between Moscow and Beijing.
India, visibly sidelined, failed to gain support for its stance on Pahalgam and chose not to endorse the final SCO declaration.
This marks a notable regional shift, as Pakistan’s narrative gained traction while India’s position was diplomatically weakened.
The SCO statement’s mention of terrorism in Balochistan—without reference to Pahalgam—signaled a shift in regional consensus.
Observers noted the event as a blow to India’s attempts to isolate Pakistan diplomatically on international forums.
