‘Can open support to terrorism by some countries be acceptable?’ PM Modi calls out double standards on terror

In a thinly veiled swipe at Pakistan, and its principal supporter China, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said how open support of terrorism by some countries could be acceptable to the world.

In his address at the plenary session of the SCO Summit in China’s Tianjin, Modi said that combating terrorism in all its forms must be the shared commitment of all countries for the sake of the entire humanity.

With Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in attendance, Modi referred to the Pahalgam attack in which Pakistan-backed terrorists killed 26 people, Modi said that the attack was not just on India but on the entire humanity. He also thanked nations that expressed support to India.

“This attack was not only a blow to India’s conscience but also an open challenge to every country and individual who believes in humanity. In this context, it is natural to ask: Can the open support of terrorism by some countries bring us to this situation? Excellency, we must say clearly and in unison that no double standard on terrorism will be acceptable. We must collectively oppose terrorism in every color and form. This is our duty towards humanity,” said Modi.

In Operation Sindoor that India launched in response to the Pahalgam attack, China had provided active material and intelligence support to Pakistan. Chinese weapons, fighter planes, and air defence systems were a mainstay of Pakistan in the four-day conflict.

‘Terrorism is a shared challenge for all humanity’

Calling ‘security’ the first of the three pillars of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Modi said that security, peace, and stability form the foundation of any country’s development but terrorism, separatism, and extremism pose major challenges on this path.

Modi said, “Terrorism is not just a threat to one country’s security but a shared challenge for all humanity. No country, society, or citizen can consider themselves safe from it. Therefore, India has emphasized unity in the fight against terrorism. SCO states have played a crucial role in this.”

Modi referred to India’s initiative of Joint Information Operation to fight Al-Qaeda and related terrorist organisations and proposed coordination against radicalisation and jointly tackling the issue.

“Voices were raised against terror financing. I express my gratitude for the support I received in this,” Modi further said.