In a strong and unequivocal condemnation of the recent Pahalgam terror attack, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar raised the issue of cross-border terrorism during his address at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in China. Speaking amidst a tense diplomatic backdrop, Jaishankar’s comments drew sharp attention to the ongoing threat of terrorism in India and underscored the urgent need for global solidarity in combating extremist violence.
Referring to the recent attack in J&K’s Pahalgam, where several civilians lost their lives, Jaishankar called out the menace of terrorism as one of the gravest challenges confronting the SCO region. He stressed the need to isolate and expose those states that shelter and sponsor terrorism, without naming Pakistan directly.
In his address, Jaishankar said, “The fight against terrorism is not only an ongoing imperative but a shared responsibility. We must not allow the shadow of terror to fall on our common goals of peace, stability, and cooperation.”
Participated in the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting this evening in Tianjin.
Highlighted that:
➡️ We meet at a time of considerable disorder in the international system. In the last few years, we have seen more conflicts, competition and coercion. Economic… pic.twitter.com/w8XKZ4FLe2
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 15, 2025
The minister’s remarks came just days after the targeted killing of civilians in Pahalgam by suspected terrorists, an incident that has sparked widespread outrage in India. Indian investigative agencies, including the NIA, have been probing the attack, which is believed to have been executed with external support. Jaishankar’s intervention at the SCO platform ensured that the matter received global attention at a multilateral level.
He reiterated India’s commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and people against acts of terror and reminded member states of the SCO’s foundational principles against extremism and separatism. “Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations must be condemned. There can be no justification for it, good terrorism and bad terrorism cannot coexist,” he asserted.
The issue of terrorism has often been a flashpoint at SCO summits, particularly as India continues to face threats from Pakistan-based terror outfits. Though India and Pakistan are both members of the SCO, New Delhi has repeatedly used the forum to highlight its concerns over cross-border terrorism.
Jaishankar’s comments at the forum were bolstered by his bilateral engagements on the sidelines of the meeting. He met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, with Russia’s Foreign Ministry posting on X: “Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Minister of External Affairs of India @DrSJaishankar hold a meeting on the sidelines of the #SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting.”
He also held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, posting on X: “Good to catch up with FM @araghchi of Iran, this time on the sidelines of the SCO Foreign Ministers Meeting in Tianjin.”
This is Jaishankar’s first visit to China since the deadly Galwan Valley clash in 2020, which left bilateral relations severely strained. His visit follows earlier SCO-linked visits by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and NSA Ajit Doval in June, signaling India’s active engagement in regional diplomacy.
Jaishankar’s strong remarks on terrorism have once again positioned India as a vocal advocate of counter-terror cooperation at international forums, even as it deals with fresh wounds inflicted by the Pahalgam attack.
