India’s Diplomatic Strategy: Prime Minister Modi Bolsters Anti-Terror Coalition at 2025 SCO Summit Amid Challenges with China and Pakistan

Pakistan Faces Diplomatic Setback at SCO Summit Amidst India’s Terrorism Push

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit concluded with a palpable sense of isolation for Pakistan, as india’s assertive diplomacy on the issue of terrorism considerably influenced the joint declaration. The outcome signals a diplomatic reversal for Islamabad and a strengthening of India’s position on the international stage.

modi’s Direct Engagement and a Symbolic Snub

The summit witnessed a notable lack of interaction between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart, Shehbaz Sharif. Reports indicate that Modi engaged in conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin and walked past Sharif without acknowledgement, a moment that observers say carried significant diplomatic weight. This apparent snub underscored the growing distance between the two nations.

SCO Declaration Explicitly Addresses Cross-Border terrorism

For the first time, the SCO joint declaration specifically mentioned the Pahalgam terror attack, a recent incident in Indian-administered Kashmir. The declaration also delivered a strong condemnation of “cross-border terrorism,” a phrase consistently employed by India to highlight Pakistan’s alleged support for militant groups. This represents a substantial victory for New Delhi, which has long advocated for a more forthright stance against terrorism within the SCO framework.

The declaration further cautioned against “double standards” in combating terrorism – a pointed reference to Pakistan’s historical categorization of terrorist organizations. This inclusion is widely interpreted as a direct rebuke to Islamabad’s policies.Attacks perpetrated by Baloch insurgents within Pakistan were also acknowledged in the joint statement, adding another layer of complexity to the regional security narrative.

Shift From Previous Stance: A change in Dynamics

This year’s declaration stands in stark contrast to the SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting held in June in Qingdao, China, where the Pahalgam attack was conspicuously absent from the joint statement. India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh rejected that earlier declaration, citing its selective approach to terrorism. Following this, India intensified its diplomatic efforts, culminating in the inclusion of the Pahalgam attack and the stronger language on terrorism in the latest SCO declaration.

Prime Minister Modi personally reinforced India’s uncompromising stance on terrorism during his address to the summit, further solidifying the institution’s condemnation. The shift reflects a growing international consensus aligning with India’s concerns regarding terrorism emanating from the region.

Key SCO Summit Outcomes: A Comparative Look

Issue	2025 SCO Summit	June 2025 SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting
Pahalgam Attack Mention	Included in Joint Declaration	Omitted from Joint Declaration
Cross-Border Terrorism Language	Explicitly Addressed	Absent
Condemnation of double Standards	Included	Absent

While Pakistan may attempt to portray a positive outcome from the summit, the reality suggests a diminished influence within the SCO. Even China, traditionally a strong ally of pakistan, appeared less forthcoming in its support this time, signaling a potential realignment of regional power dynamics.

Understanding the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), founded in 2001, is a Eurasian political, economic, and security organization. originally focused on border security and counter-terrorism, the SCO has expanded its scope to include economic cooperation, energy security, and cultural exchange. Its member states – China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan – represent over 40% of the world’s population and approximately 30% of global GDP. The SCO serves as a critical platform for regional dialog and cooperation, notably in addressing security challenges and promoting economic advancement.

frequently Asked Questions about the SCO Summit

What is the meaning of the SCO joint declaration?

the SCO joint declaration reflects the collective position of member states on key regional and international issues, including counter-terrorism, security cooperation, and economic development. It serves as a blueprint for future collaboration within the organization.

What is ‘cross-border terrorism’ and why is India focusing on it?

‘Cross-border terrorism’ refers to terrorist activities originating from outside a country’s borders. India consistently highlights this issue, alleging that Pakistan supports and facilitates terrorist groups operating within India.

How does China’s stance impact Pakistan’s position within the SCO?

China has traditionally been Pakistan’s closest ally within the SCO. Though, a perceived lessening of Chinese support for Pakistan, as seen at this summit, has significantly weakened Islamabad’s diplomatic position.

what are the potential consequences of this diplomatic setback for Pakistan?

This diplomatic isolation could lead to increased international pressure on pakistan to address concerns regarding terrorism and strengthen its counter-terrorism efforts.It may also impact Pakistan’s economic and security partnerships within the region.

What was India’s strategy leading up to the SCO summit?

India engaged in intensive diplomatic efforts in the months preceding the summit, seeking to build consensus among SCO member states regarding the need for a stronger stance against terrorism, particularly cross-border terrorism.

What are yoru thoughts on the changing dynamics within the SCO? Do you believe this summit marks a turning point in regional security cooperation?

How did Prime Minister Modi attempt to address concerns regarding terrorism at the 2025 SCO Summit?

Navigating a Complex geopolitical Landscape

The 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, held in Astana, Kazakhstan, served as a crucial platform for India to reinforce its commitment to counter-terrorism cooperation while together managing increasingly complex relationships with China and Pakistan. Prime minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic strategy centered on strengthening bilateral ties with key partners and advocating for a unified front against terrorism, notably emanating from Afghanistan and the broader region. This strategy unfolded against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and escalating concerns over regional stability. Key areas of focus included regional security,counter-terrorism efforts,and India-SCO relations.

Strengthening Anti-Terror Cooperation: A Core Indian objective

India has consistently positioned itself as a leading voice against terrorism,advocating for a zero-tolerance policy and comprehensive action against terrorist groups. At the SCO Summit, Modi actively pushed for:

Enhanced intelligence sharing: Specifically targeting groups like ISIS-Khorasan and those operating along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.This builds on existing SCO mechanisms like the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS).

Joint counter-terrorism exercises: Proposing increased frequency and scope of military drills to improve interoperability and response capabilities. Recent exercises like “Peace Mission” demonstrate India’s commitment.

Legal frameworks for prosecution: Urging member states to strengthen national laws and facilitate the prosecution of terrorists, addressing loopholes that allow them to operate with impunity. This aligns with UN Security Council resolutions.

Combating terrorist financing: Highlighting the need to disrupt financial networks supporting terrorist organizations, a key component of India’s broader security strategy.

This proactive stance on terrorism prevention and counter-terrorism measures is central to India’s foreign policy.

Balancing Relations with China: Economic Engagement and Strategic Competition

India’s relationship with China remains a defining factor in its foreign policy. while economic ties continue to be critically important, strategic competition, particularly along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), casts a long shadow. At the SCO summit, Modi engaged in a brief bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.Key takeaways included:

Border Dispute Resolution: Reiterating the importance of resolving the border dispute through peaceful dialog and adherence to existing agreements. The 19th round of military talks, concluded just prior to the summit, yielded limited progress.

Trade and Investment: Acknowledging the importance of maintaining stable trade relations, despite ongoing concerns over trade imbalances and market access. Bilateral trade exceeded $135 billion in 2024.

Multilateral Cooperation: Exploring areas of potential cooperation within the SCO framework, such as connectivity projects and digital economy initiatives. Though, India remains cautious about projects linked to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Strategic Autonomy: india continues to prioritize strategic autonomy, refusing to be drawn into a binary choice between alignment with China or the West.

The focus remains on managing the relationship,preventing escalation,and safeguarding India’s core interests. India-china relations are a critical element of regional stability.

Navigating the Pakistan Factor: Limited Engagement and Persistent Concerns

India’s relationship with Pakistan remains fraught with challenges, primarily due to Pakistan’s support for cross-border terrorism. Direct engagement between Modi and pakistani Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar was minimal at the summit. India’s key concerns revolved around:

Cross-Border Terrorism: Reiterating its demand for Pakistan to take credible and verifiable action against terrorist groups operating from its territory, specifically targeting groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Regional Stability: Expressing concerns about the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan and its potential spillover effects on regional stability.

Dialogue Limitations: Maintaining its position that meaningful dialogue with Pakistan can only resume once Pakistan demonstrably ends its support for terrorism.

SCO Framework: Utilizing the SCO platform to highlight Pakistan’s alleged state sponsorship of terrorism, despite Pakistan’s denials.

The situation necessitates a firm stance on Pakistan-India relations and a continued focus on counter-terrorism efforts.

Expanding Partnerships: Beyond China and Pakistan

Recognizing the limitations of relying solely on traditional partners, India actively sought to strengthen ties with other SCO member states, including:

Central Asian Republics: Deepening cooperation in areas such as energy security, connectivity, and counter-terrorism. India has invested heavily in infrastructure projects in the region.

Russia: Maintaining a strong strategic partnership, particularly in defense and energy. Russia remains a key supplier of military equipment to India.

* iran: Strengthening economic and strategic ties, including the advancement of the chabahar Port, which provides India