Jaishankar Calls Out Terrorism at SCO Meet, Flags Pahalgam Attack as ‘Deliberate’ Attempt to Divide

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delivered a sharp and direct message on terrorism at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting on Tuesday, raising the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and urging member states to stay true to SCO's founding goals, fighting terrorism, separatism, and extremism.

‘Deliberate Attempt to Divide’: Jaishankar Flags Pahalgam Attack

In his address, Jaishankar said the attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which killed 26 people, was “deliberately conducted to undermine the tourism economy of Jammu and Kashmir while sowing a religious divide.”

He said that the UN Security Council, of which some SCO members are also part, condemned the act and called for accountability of perpetrators, sponsors, and organisers.

‘SCO Must Stay Firm Against Terrorism’

Reaffirming India’s zero-tolerance stance, Jaishankar stressed, “It is imperative that the SCO, to remain true to its founding objectives, take an uncompromising position on this challenge.”

He reminded members that terrorism, extremism, and separatism, SCO's "three evils" are often interlinked and must be jointly confronted with unity and purpose.

“The challenge before us is to stabilise the global order, de-risk various dimensions, and address longstanding challenges that threaten our collective interests,” he said.

Calling for stronger multilateralism and deeper collaboration within the SCO, Jaishankar said effective groupings like the SCO are central to navigating a rapidly shifting world toward multipolarity.

“Our ability to contribute to shaping world affairs will naturally depend on how well we come together on a shared agenda. That means taking everybody on board,” he added.