Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday asserted that terrorism should be denounced in "clear and unambiguous terms" in whatever form or manifestation it is practiced in the world.
"SCO member states have a shared interest in ensuring peace and stability in the region, which is a precondition for economic development anywhere in the world," Sharif said during his address to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's (SCO) virtual summit held under India's presidency.
"Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including state terrorism, must be condemned in clear and unambiguous terms. There can be no justification for the killing of innocent people regardless of the cause or pretext," the Pakistan premier added.
Sharif's comments hold significance given that Islamabad has been blamed for playing a major role in cross-border terrorism, keeping its relations with New Delhi almost always in a state of frostiness.
Indian intelligence agencies have long accused Pakistan of carrying out attacks on its establishments and security forces, including the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
Investigation from Indian security agencies even suggested that LeT was behind the massacre in Mumbai that killed 166 people and wounded over 300.
Meanwhile, before Sharif took a tough line on terrorism, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised his voice for a "decisive action" against the menace of terrorism.
"No matter what form of terrorism, in any manifestation, we have to fight it together. Some countries use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of their policies. Give shelter to terrorists. The SCO should not hesitate to criticize such countries," the Indian leader said, without directly mentioning Pakistan.
*terror organizations banned in Russia, India and other states