Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday delivered a strong message against terrorism at the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, attended by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other regional leaders.
Modi called for dismantling the entire terror ecosystem and said there could be “no room for double standards” on the issue.
“Countries that use terrorism as an instrument of policy, and that provide shelter and support to terrorists, must be given a firm message: terrorism cannot be a strategic asset for anyone,” he said.
Addressing wider security concerns, Modi said conflicts such as the crisis in West Asia affect global energy security, maritime trade and supply chains, with Global South countries bearing the heaviest costs. He reiterated India’s call for resolving wars and tensions through dialogue and diplomacy.
Modi also highlighted narco-terrorism, calling drug trafficking a serious threat to young people and regional security. He urged SCO members to strengthen cooperation against narcotics and organised crime.
On connectivity, he said infrastructure and trade initiatives must respect national sovereignty and territorial integrity, while customs, digital documentation and logistics should be streamlined.
Modi described “Opportunity” as the third pillar of India’s SCO approach, stressing that cooperation should directly benefit young people, entrepreneurs and farmers.
Earlier, he briefly interacted with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the group photograph. He also held bilateral meetings with Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
