India distances from SCO condemnation of Israeli strikes on Iran
India distanced itself from a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) statement that strongly condemned Israel’s military strikes on Iran
NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — India on Saturday distanced itself from a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) statement that strongly condemned Israel’s military strikes on Iran.
The statement by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that New Delhi was not part of discussions that led to the eight-member SCO’s collective criticism of Israel’s recent actions.
The SCO, which includes China, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, and Central Asian republics alongside India, had issued a strong statement earlier in the day condemning Israel’s strikes as a “gross violation of international law.”
The statement highlighted damage to civilian infrastructure, including energy and transport systems, and noted civilian casualties.
It further warned that any unlawful action targeting SCO member states would be considered “unacceptable” — a direct reference to the attacks on Iran, which formally joined the organisation in 2023.
However, India clarified that its broader stance was already communicated to fellow SCO members and that it had opted out of the process of framing or endorsing the bloc’s condemnation.
“Keeping that in mind, India did not participate in the discussions on the SCO statement,” the MEA said.
India’s move comes in the wake of another diplomatic balancing act — New Delhi abstained from voting on a United Nations General Assembly resolution on Friday that called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza.
The resolution passed with overwhelming support from 149 countries.
India’s abstention was seen as consistent with its recent efforts to maintain distance in conflicts involving Israel, a key defence partner.
Israel is among New Delhi’s top military hardware suppliers, and Israeli weapons were reportedly used in recent skirmishes along India’s border with Pakistan.
Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday, held separate phone conversations with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar.
India’s posture reflects its foreign policy calculus.
It has expanded defence and technological ties with Israel, which have grown significantly under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure.
But at the same time it has been using Iran as a source of energy and connectivity for India’s ambitions in Central Asia and Afghanistan.
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