Israel-Iran conflict: India distances itself from SCO statement

...Congress questions govt. stand

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India, on Saturday, distanced itself from a statement issued by the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) which condemned the military strikes carried out by Israel, The Indian Express reported yesterday (15)

The 10-member bloc, currently chaired by China, called Israel’s “aggressive actions against civilian targets (in Iran), including energy and transport infrastructure, which have resulted in civilian casualties, a gross violation of international law and the United Nations Charter”.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said: “India did not participate in the discussions on the above-mentioned SCO statement... India’s own position on the matter had been articulated by us on June 13, 2025, and remains the same. We urge that channels of dialogue and diplomacy be utilised to work towards de-escalation and it is essential that the international community undertake endeavours in that direction.” It said that India’s “overall position” was communicated to other SCO members.

The MEA statement came a day after India abstained from a vote in the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on a draft resolution that demanded an “immediate, unconditional and permanent” ceasefire in Gaza.