**Summary:**
On July 25, 2025, the Lok Sabha addressed Unstarred Question No. 1050 regarding the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's (SCO) stance on Israel's attacks on Iran. Specifically, the question inquired whether the Government of India had taken note of the SCO's statement condemning the attacks, the reasons for India's distancing itself from the SCO position, and whether this divergence would negatively impact the SCO's role in promoting multipolarity.
In response, the Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, stated that the SCO issued a statement on the matter on June 14, 2025. India's position, articulated on June 13, 2025, prior to the SCO statement, emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy for de-escalation and urged international efforts towards that goal. The External Affairs Minister also discussed the situation with his Iranian counterpart on June 13, 2025, expressing the international community's concern and advocating for avoiding escalation and returning to diplomatic solutions. India communicated its position to other SCO members and, consequently, did not participate in the discussions leading to the SCO statement. The Minister stated that the question of a setback to the SCO does not arise.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of External Affairs: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for the country's foreign relations.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
S VENKATESAN: Member of Parliament who raised the question in the Lok Sabha.
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation: A Eurasian political, economic, security and military alliance.
Israel: A country in the Middle East.
Iran: A country in the Middle East.
KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH: The Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs who answered the question.
India: The Republic of India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1050
ANSWERED ON - 25/07/2025
SCO STAND ON ISRAEL’S ATTACKS ON IRAN
1050. SHRI S VENKATESAN
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has taken note of the Shanghai Cooperation
Organisation’s (SCO’s) statement condemning Israel’s attacks on Iran;
(b) if so, the reasons India distanced itself from the position of SCO on the
above issue; and
(c) whether it will be a set back to the SCO which is an important initiative
towards multipolarity, if so, the details thereof?
1ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a & b) The SCO issued a statement on developments between Israel and
Iran on 14 June 2025. India’s own position on the matter had been
articulated by India on 13 June 2025, in which, India had urged that
channels of dialogue and diplomacy be utilized to work towards de-
escalation and it was essential that the international community
undertake endeavors in that direction.
The External Affairs Minister too discussed the matter with his Iranian
counterpart on 13 June 2025 and conveyed the deep concern of the
international community at the turn of events. He also urged the
avoidance of any escalatory steps and an early return to diplomacy.
The overall position of India as stated above was communicated to other
SCO members. Keeping that in mind, India did not participate in the
discussions on the above-mentioned SCO statement.
(c) Does not arise.
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