India distances itself from SCO statement on Israel-Iran tensions

New Delhi: India on Saturday distanced itself from a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) statement that strongly condemned Israeli airstrikes on Iran, stating that it had not participated in the consultations that led to the declaration.

The statement, issued by the China- and Russia-led bloc, termed the Israeli strikes on Iranian territory on June 13 a "gross violation of international law and the UN Charter." It also said the attacks on civilian targets, including energy and transport infrastructure, resulted in casualties and undermined regional stability.

India, however, reiterated that it had already articulated its position on the matter on June 13. "We urge that channels of dialogue and diplomacy be utilised to work towards de-escalation. It is essential that the international community undertake endeavours in that direction," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.


External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke with both his Iranian and Israeli counterparts on Friday. He conveyed international concern over the developments and called for restraint and an early return to diplomacy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and emphasised the need for early restoration of peace and stability in the region.

India remains the only SCO member state to have engaged diplomatically with both Iran and Israel in the aftermath of the strikes. It also abstained from voting on a UN General Assembly resolution this week that called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

India has communicated its position to other SCO members and clarified that it did not take part in deliberations on the joint statement, according to the MEA.

The SCO, founded in 2001 with China and Russia as its principal architects, counts India as a full member since 2017. Iran formally joined the organisation in 2023.

The SCO statement also called for resolving issues around Iran's nuclear programme through peaceful and diplomatic means, and reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the UN Charter and the SCO Charter.