India on board, SCO reiterates condemnation of Iran attacks

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), comprising India among its member-states, firmly condemned military strikes on Iranian territory, resulting in numerous civilian casualties and significant economic damage. This was the second time in response to the ongoing West Asia conflict, following an early March standalone statement that deemed the attacks unacceptable.

India endorsed this initial statement, albeit without explicitly condemning Iran as it had for missile and drone strikes on Gulf Cooperation Council nations.

The SCO's Bishkek Declaration, issued in Bishkek, expressed deep concern over the Middle East situation and Iran's recent missile attacks. It reiterated condemnation of the strikes, deeming them a violation of international law and the UN Charter, posing serious risks to global peace, security, and stability. India, along with other SCO members, backed Iran's sovereignty and territorial integrity, advocating for a political and diplomatic resolution to the conflict.

They emphasized the importance of de-escalating tensions and achieving a comprehensive and just settlement to the Palestinian question as the only way to ensure Middle East peace and stability.

The declaration condemned terrorism in all its forms, denounced double standards in combating terrorism, and called for the UN to play a central role in implementing relevant Security Council resolutions and the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Member states stressed the inadmissibility of using terrorist, separatist, and extremist groups for selfish purposes, recognizing the sovereign right of states to counter terrorist and extremist threats.

The SCO leaders also criticized unilateral coercive measures detrimental to international security, such as economic sanctions, unilateral measures contrary to the UN Charter and WTO norms, and those harming the global economy. India and members supported Iran's right to economic ties and sought to expand bilateral relations with Tehran while urging India's assistance in ending the war.