Modi began by stating that India has carried the burden of terrorism for four decades, citing the April attack in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, where 26 civilians were killed. He expressed gratitude to those countries that supported India during its time of grief and called the incident not just an attack on India but a fundamental assault on all who uphold humanity. He questioned whether any nation could condone terrorism under any form or pretext, insisting that shunning it in all guises is a shared obligation.
Modi framed India’s vision for the SCO around three pillars—Security, Connectivity, and Opportunity—underlining the organisation’s potential role in advancing regional stability through collective endeavour.
Leaders from SCO member states joined in the strongest condemnation of the Pahalgam attack. The Tianjin Declaration issued by the summit explicitly denounced the massacre of 22 April 2025, conveyed condolences to victims' families, and urged that perpetrators, organisers, and sponsors be brought to justice.
Modi also called out double standards in dealing with terrorism, urging member states to reject selective approaches, particularly in the presence of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He stressed that terrorism poses a threat not only to individual nations but to humanity as a whole.
Amid these developments, summit participants witnessed a broader push for multilateral cooperation. Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed expanding the SCO’s mandate beyond security into economic development, including plans for a SCO development bank and provision of substantial loans. Russian President Putin and Xi jointly advocated for a multipolar world order that challenges Western dominance.
Modi’s speech also aligned with underlying diplomatic aims. His remarks reinforced India’s demand for accountability in terrorism, while signalling readiness to engage constructively within multilateral frameworks. SCO’s condemnation of the Pahalgam attack and its emphasis on collective action marks a notable development in regional counter‑terror cooperation.
That diplomatic cohesion was mirrored in summit imagery: Modi shared moments of camaraderie with the leaders of Russia and China—including a warm embrace with Putin and a jointly attended banquet with Xi—highlighting thawing tensions and renewed engagement across strategic dialogues.