SCO Condemns US Strikes on Iran, Calls for Diplomatic Solutions in West Asia

In a united front, the SCO countries dismissed double standards in addressing terrorism and cross-border movements, expressing their profound worries about the situation in West Asia and condemning US military actions against Iran. The member nations strongly promoted political and diplomatic avenues to resolve conflicts in the region and underscored the importance of a just resolution for the Palestinian situation. The upcoming SCO summit is set for 2027 in Pakistan.

Bishkek: The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states Tuesday termed the "double standards" in the fight against terrorism as "unacceptable" and called on the international community to combat the menace, including the cross-border movement of terrorists.

In a joint statement, called the 'Bishkek Declaration', issued after the meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO in the Kyrgyz capital, the member states expressed deep concern over developments in West Asia while condemning the US attacks on Iran.

The SCO member states strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and emphasised that "double standards" in the fight against terrorism are "unacceptable," said the joint statement signed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and other leaders of THE SCO.

The SCO members called on the international community to "combat terrorism, including the cross-border movement of terrorists, with the UN playing a central role by fully implementing relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in accordance with the UN Charter and the principles of international law, it added.

The SCO consists of Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Iran, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic.

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"Member States note the importance of countering the use of the internet for terrorist, separatist, and extremist purposes. Member States will strengthen coordination of actions in the areas of international information security, information protection, and combating new types of crime," the declaration said.

It said SCO member states, reaffirming their firm commitment to combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism, emphasised the inadmissibility of attempts to exploit terrorist, separatist, and extremist groups for selfish purposes.

On West Asia, the joint statement condemned the US military strikes on Iran, which have resulted in numerous civilian casualties and significant damage to the country's economy.

"Such actions violate the principles and norms of international law and the UN Charter and create serious risks to international peace, security and stability," it said.

"Member States, reaffirming their support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran, advocate a resolution to the conflict solely through political and diplomatic means. In this regard, they welcome all efforts aimed at de-escalating the situation in the region," it added.

The SCO member states also condoled the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

"Member States note that the only possible way to ensure peace and stability in the Middle East is a comprehensive and just settlement of the Palestinian question," it said.

The SCO countries advocated for the reform and improvement of the system of global governance and regulation.

"Member States adhere to a policy that excludes bloc-based and confrontational approaches to resolving issues of international and regional development, and advocates for the peaceful resolution of disagreements and disputes between States," it added.

The next meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO will be convened in 2027 in Pakistan.