Modi signs declaration at SCO Summit in Bishkek

Bishkek [Kyrgyzstan], September 1 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday signed the declaration at the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit along with other member state heads, according to reports from ANI and The Tribune.

Earlier, addressing the summit, PM Modi called for dismantling the "entire ecosystem of terrorism," including its financing, recruitment, radicalisation and safe havens, asserting that there can be no "double standards" in the fight against terrorism. He said terrorism remains a "grave challenge to all of humanity" and stressed that the fight against it cannot be limited to a mindset of "action-reaction."

"We must dismantle the entire ecosystem of terrorism--its financing, recruitment, radicalisation, and safe havens. We must speak in one voice that there can be no place for double standards on this serious issue. Those countries that use terrorism as an instrument of their policy, and provide shelter and support to terrorists, must be sent a strong message that terrorism cannot be a 'strategic asset' for anyone," the Prime Minister added.

PM Modi said peace and security remain the first pillar of India's vision for the SCO, alongside "Connectivity" and "Opportunity."

"Our shared aspiration for a peaceful and secure Eurasia is also linked to peace and stability in Afghanistan," he said, adding that India has been contributing to the development and humanitarian assistance of the people of Afghanistan and will continue to do so.

On the West Asia crisis, PM Modi said conflict in one region does not remain confined there and its impact is felt on "energy security, maritime trade, and supply chains of the entire world." He noted that the countries of the Global South have to bear the maximum brunt of this, and reiterated India's call that the solution to all tensions and wars is not possible on the battlefield, but only through dialogue and diplomacy.

The Prime Minister also flagged drug trafficking as a serious threat to the younger generation and regional security, calling for stronger cooperation through SCO mechanisms.

Bilateral meetings on sidelines

According to The Tribune, PM Modi met Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon on the sidelines of the summit and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. In a post shared on X, PM Modi said he had a "great conversation" with Rahmon and expressed India's keenness to expand bilateral cooperation across various sectors.

"Great conversation with Mr. Emomali Rahmon, the President of Tajikistan. India looks forward to boosting cooperation with Tajikistan across diverse sectors," PM Modi wrote.

The Prime Minister also met Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR) President Thongloun Sisoulith on the sidelines of the summit and discussed strengthening bilateral ties between India and Laos. "Met Mr. Thongloun Sisoulith, President of Lao PDR on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Bishkek. Had a great conversation on boosting bilateral linkages between our nations," PM Modi said in another post on X.

Posting about his address on X, PM Modi said, "Addressed the SCO Summit in Bishkek. This Summit is special because we are marking 25 years since the start of SCO. Here are the points I've raised in the Summit: It's time to look at the SCO agenda for the next 25 years. India's position is We must transform our shared geography into shared opportunities. We must work on the three pillars of Security, Connectivity and Opportunity."

On terrorism, the Prime Minister said, "Key to realising the SCO vision is fighting the menace of terrorism. We must dismantle the entire ecosystem of terrorist financing, recruitment, radicalisation and safe havens. Countries that use terrorism as an instrument of their policy must be sent a strong message."

Summit details

The 26th SCO Summit is being held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, and brings together 10 member states, 15 partner countries and two observer countries, according to reports. Other leaders present included Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, as reported by ANI.