Why did India refuse to join SCO to condemn Israel’s attacks on Iran? Israel Iran

New Delhi, India – India has distanced from the condemnation of the Shaghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) of Israel’s ongoing attacks on Iran, which indicates a potential rift in the European political bloc affecting the conflict.

World leaders have repeatedly called to cancel the escalation amid Israel’s unprecedented attacks on its regional competitor, Iran, which threatens to destabilize the region. Last Friday, the last round of fighting began after Israel launched attacks on Iranian military and nuclear sites.

This is followed by two rounds of direct military conflict between Iran and Israel in 2024, which were raised by Israeli strikes on Iranian goals and subsequent Iranian revenge.

The Iranian authorities say that the Israeli attacks since Friday have targeted the residential and military areas in Tehran, in addition to many cities across the country, killing at least 80 people, including civilians. Many Iranian nuclear scientists and university professors were killed with Many bond leaders From the Iranian Armed Forces and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).

On Saturday, Israeli attacks struck refineries, power stations and oil reserves throughout Iran. Tehran has taken revenge on the launch of hundreds of missiles and drones in Israeli cities Tel Aviv and HaifaKilling at least 13 people and doing dozens. Meanwhile, Tehran also stopped nuclear negotiations with the United States.

So, why did India refuse to participate in the discussions or support the SCO position in the Israeli attacks? Does India support Israel? What is on the test for these countries?

What did Sco say?

SCO, a political and security bloc established in 2001, includes China, Blasusia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Iran is the latest participant, as it joined Sco under the presidency of India in 2023.

On Saturday, China, currently headed by China, said that its member states “express its dangerous concern” over the escalating Iranian tensions and “condemn Israel’s military strikes” on Iran’s lands.

SCO also indicated that “Israel’s aggressive measures against civilian targets, including energy and transportation infrastructure, which resulted in civil losses, are a serious violation of international law and the United Nations Charter.”

The statement added, “(Israeli attacks) is a violation of Iran’s sovereignty, causing damage to regional and international security, and poses serious risks to global peace and stability.” The statement added, and extends to the government of Iran and its people.

The statement pointed out that “SCO member states strongly call for resolving the situation surrounding the Iranian nuclear program exclusively through peaceful, political and diplomatic means.”

“The Law of Define Balance in India”

After Israel’s initial strikes on Tehran, the Indian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Supermaneam Gaishhakar, conducted a phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Aragashi, as “transferring the deep concern of the international community at the beginning of the events.”

Jeishnikar “urged to avoid any escalating steps and early return to diplomacy,” according to the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry also confirmed its concerns in a separate statement on Friday.

“We are closely monitoring the advanced situation, including reports related to attacks on nuclear sites,” the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs He saidUrging both sides to use the current channels for dialogue and diplomacy to “work towards canceling the escalation of the situation.”

“India has close and friendly relations with both countries and wants to provide all possible support,” the statement pointed out.

“Unlike other SCO countries, India is in a unique position given that it must maintain defense relations with Israel and its economic relations with Iran,” Shanti de Souza, an oldest research colleague at the University of Massachusetts-Ammest, told Al-Jazeera.

India is the largest arms buyer in Israel, and in 2024, Indian weapons companies also sold Israeli missiles and explosives in the war in Gaza, Al Jazeera investigation open. Meanwhile, India is developing the Iranian port of Chibhar as a gateway to its exports to Central Asia and Afghanistan.

De Souza said: “India has maintained an accurate balance law (in the last round of fighting between Israel and Iran),” De Souza said.

After a Sco statement, which condemned the Israeli strikes against Iran, New Delhi said it had not participated in the discussions about the statement.

“The general position of India, as mentioned above, was connected to the other SCO members,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs He saidIn reference to its previous statement of India’s official position.

Does India support Israel?

Not explicitly. But by moving away from the position of the bloc, New Delhi weakened the force of Sco condemnation of Israel’s attacks on Iran.

A day before its SCO statement, India refrained from voting at the United Nations General Assembly regarding a draft of a “immediate, unconditional and permanent” fire in Gaza.

To Kabir Taneja, Deputy Director of the New Delhi Strategic Study Studies Program, India’s refusal to the United Nations was confusing. He suggested that it may be affected by India’s desire to maintain good relations with the United States, noting that India is close to a commercial agreement with Washington – a deal that tries to give it before US President Donald Trump’s tariff was raised to Indian goods in early July.

Regardless of the national interests, Taniga noticed that New Delhi is sending SCO on Iranian Iranian tensions, “also reflects the construction of Sco, as India is somewhat inside.”

While China and Russia are close to Iran, Taniga said, given India’s relations with the United States and Israel, “It was very difficult (India) to participate in the formulation and statement of SCO.”

Does the United States pressure on Iran threaten India’s regional ambitions?

Before Trump imposed sanctions after the American withdrawal from the Iranian nuclear deal in 2017, Iran was the third largest oil supplier in India.

In February, after Trump returned to a second term in his post, economic pressure tactics were doubled to Iran by suspending Penalties exemptions “This provides Iran any degree of economic or financial relief, including those related to the Iranian port project.”

The port of India will allow its rival to Pakistan, by trading with non -coastal Afghanistan and Central Asia across Iran. India has obtained a waiver of sanctions from the United States during the first Trump administration to work related to Chabahar.

Now, Trump sanctions are exposed to New Delhi investments in the marine facility with a strategic location at risk.

But the interest of India in preserving strong relations with Iran goes beyond merely the port project. Taniga pointed out that India appreciates the geographical position of Iran because it provides it with access to Afghanistan and Central Asia – important areas of trade, security and influence in India.