Modi Delivers Strong Anti-Terror Message at SCO Summit

BISHKEK: Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a strong message against terrorism at the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek on Tuesday, calling for dismantling the "entire ecosystem of terrorism" and asserting that countries using it as an instrument of state policy must be sent a clear signal that it can never be a "strategic asset."

Speaking in the presence of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Modi said terrorism continues to pose a "grave challenge" to humanity and that the fight against it cannot be limited to an "action-reaction" mindset.

"We must dismantle the entire ecosystem of terrorism - its financing, recruitment, radicalisation and safe havens," Modi said. "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."

Expanding India's SCO Vision

Modi outlined three pillars of India's approach to the SCO: Security, Connectivity and Opportunity. He reiterated India's position that all connectivity initiatives must respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, calling this the "fundamental spirit" of the SCO Charter.

He also addressed the crisis in West Asia, noting that conflict in one region affects the energy security, maritime trade and supply chains of the entire world, and that countries of the Global South bear the greatest brunt. "The solution to all tensions and wars is not possible on the battlefield, but only through dialogue and diplomacy," he said.

Modi welcomed centres being established within the SCO to address security threats, organised crime, information security and narcotics. He highlighted India's initiatives, including the Start-up Forum, Young Authors' Conclave, Young Scientists' Forum and the SCO Civilizational Dialogue Forum proposed last year.

"The true measure of our success should be how many new opportunities our efforts create for young people," he said.

SCO Declaration and Outcomes

The SCO Declaration reaffirmed member states' pledge to combating terrorism and separatism, and strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms. Member states stressed the inadmissibility of attempts to exploit terrorist, separatist and extremist groups for mercenary purposes.

A key outcome was the approval of regulations for the Universal Centre for Countering Challenges and Threats to the Security of SCO Member States, a framework expected to strengthen cooperation among the 10-member grouping. Leaders also adopted a programme to coordinate measures against the proliferation of synthetic drugs until 2030, which India's external affairs ministry said complements India's efforts to reduce drug demand.

In addition, SCO leaders signed more than 20 other documents, including an action plan for ports and logistics centres for 2026-2030 and a declaration on strengthening multilateral partnership for nuclear and physical nuclear security.

Summit Context

The summit, held under the theme "25 Years of the SCO: Together for Sustainable Peace, Development and Prosperity," marked the handover of the SCO's rotating chairmanship from Kyrgyzstan to Pakistan. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also attended.

The SCO comprises 10 member states: Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, with two observer states and 15 dialogue partners.