The Pahalgam terror attack was not only an assault on India’s conscience, but was also an open challenge to every nation that believes in humanity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday, strongly pitching for shunning “double standards” in combating terrorism.

Modi, addressing the annual Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, said fighting terrorism is the “duty towards humanity”. “We must state it clearly and in one voice: double standards on terrorism are unacceptable. Together, we must oppose terrorism in every form and manifestation. This is our responsibility towards humanity,” he said.

Modi said India has been bearing the grave scars of ruthless terrorism for the last several decades and expressed his “deep gratitude” to all the friendly nations that stood by India during this moment of grief.  Modi said terrorism is not only a threat to the security of individual nations, but a shared challenge to all of humanity.