Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, September 1, addressed the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Bishkek, calling for coordinated international action to dismantle the entire ecosystem that supports terrorism.
Addressing leaders of SCO member countries, Modi said terrorism continues to pose a serious challenge to humanity and stressed that the response cannot remain limited to reacting after attacks take place.
The Prime Minister called for action against terror financing, recruitment networks, radicalisation and safe havens, saying countries must speak with one voice against terrorism.
He also said there could be no room for double standards while dealing with terrorism and warned against treating terrorist organisations as strategic tools.
Modi said countries that use terrorism as an instrument of policy or provide shelter and support to terrorists must receive a clear message that terrorism can never become a strategic asset.
The Prime Minister outlined India’s SCO vision through three pillars — Security, Connectivity and Opportunity — and called for moving these principles from vision to concrete outcomes.
On regional security, Modi highlighted the importance of peace and stability in Afghanistan, saying India would continue contributing to development and humanitarian assistance for the Afghan people.
He also referred to the ongoing crisis in West Asia, noting that conflicts in one region can affect energy security, maritime trade and global supply chains far beyond their immediate geographical boundaries.
Modi reiterated India’s position that international conflicts should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy rather than on the battlefield.
The Prime Minister also raised concerns over drug trafficking, describing it as both a threat to younger generations and a wider regional security challenge. He called for SCO mechanisms dealing with organised crime, information security and narcotics to become more effective platforms for practical coordination.
On connectivity, Modi said India supports projects that connect markets, facilitate trade and create new development opportunities, but stressed that such initiatives must respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries.
He also called for simpler customs procedures, greater use of digital documentation and more efficient logistics networks across the SCO region.
Turning to economic and social cooperation, Modi said the benefits of SCO initiatives should directly reach ordinary citizens, young people, entrepreneurs and farmers.
He highlighted initiatives including the SCO Start-up Forum, Young Authors’ Conclave and Young Scientists’ Forum, while calling for cooperation within the organisation to become increasingly people-driven rather than remaining limited to governments.
The 2026 summit marks 25 years of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and Modi urged member countries to use the next phase to transform their shared geography into shared opportunities.
source – Prime Minister’s Office (PMO)
Supreme News Network
