Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Tuesday, calling on member countries to take stronger and collective action against terrorism and its supporting ecosystem.
Addressing the summit, which marks the 25th anniversary of the SCO, Prime Minister Modi said the organisation should move from its vision of Security, Connectivity and Opportunity towards concrete outcomes. He emphasised that peace and security remain the foundation for development and regional cooperation.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
Counter-Terrorism Push: Modi called for dismantling the complete ecosystem of terror financing, recruitment, radicalisation and safe havens.
No Double Standards: India pressed for a uniform approach towards terrorism rather than selective responses.
Peace and Diplomacy: Modi reiterated that conflicts should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.
Connectivity with Sovereignty: India backed greater connectivity and trade while stressing respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Civilisational Outreach: The first SCO Civilisation Dialogue Forum session is set to be held in India this year.
On terrorism, Modi called for the dismantling of the entire ecosystem supporting the menace, including terror financing, recruitment, radicalisation and safe havens. He stressed that there can be no place for double standards in dealing with terrorism.
The Prime Minister also expressed concern over conflicts in different parts of the world and reiterated India's position that wars and conflicts cannot provide lasting solutions. He called for disputes to be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.
On connectivity and economic cooperation, Modi said India supports initiatives that connect markets, facilitate trade and create new opportunities for development. At the same time, he stressed that connectivity projects must respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
The significance of Modi's address lies in India's attempt to place counter-terrorism and strategic security at the centre of SCO cooperation, while simultaneously pushing dialogue, connectivity and economic development.
The Prime Minister also highlighted India's initiative for the SCO Civilisation Dialogue Forum, which India proposed earlier and whose first session is scheduled to be held in India this year. The initiative is aimed at strengthening cultural and people-to-people exchanges within the SCO framework.
The summit also marked the 25th anniversary of the organisation, with member states adopting the Bishkek Declaration and a wider package of resolutions covering institutional cooperation and contemporary security challenges.
India has been a full member of the SCO since 2017 and has continued to emphasise counter-terrorism, connectivity and economic cooperation as key areas of its engagement with the organisation.
Modi's participation comes during a wider diplomatic engagement in Central Asia. During his visit to Bishkek, he also held bilateral meetings with several SCO leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. In his meeting with Putin, the two leaders discussed bilateral cooperation and regional issues, while Modi reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy are the way forward in resolving conflicts.
