India’s attempt to gain international backing against Pakistan over the recent Pahalgam attack in occupied Kashmir faced another blow as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) — comprising the United States, Australia, Japan, and India — avoided directly blaming Pakistan in its official statement.
According to details, after facing resistance at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, New Delhi approached its Quad partners to issue a joint condemnation of Pakistan. However, the U.S. State Department’s statement, released after the July 2 ministerial meeting in Washington, condemned terrorism without naming Pakistan.
Instead, the Quad statement urged all UN member states to cooperate with relevant authorities in holding perpetrators accountable — language that deliberately avoided singling out Pakistan, despite India’s persistent efforts.
This diplomatic restraint mirrors the United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) neutral tone on the Pahalgam attack, contrasting sharply with the 2019 Pulwama incident, where India’s narrative gained more traction.
Analysts suggest this cautious language reflects the growing reluctance among India’s allies to be drawn into its bilateral disputes with Pakistan.
SCO: India Isolated
Prior to the Quad meeting, India also faced embarrassment at the SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao, China, where it refused to sign the joint declaration after its allegations against Pakistan were rejected.
The summit was attended by senior officials from Pakistan, China, Russia, and other SCO member states. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif represented Islamabad, marking a significant moment of joint presence with Indian officials since the Marka-e-Haq.
