SCO Summit: PM Modi's 10 Key Messages On Terrorism, Peace And Trade
PM Modi outlines India's priorities for a stronger SCO.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Kyrgyzstan, outlining India's priorities for stronger regional cooperation on security, connectivity, trade and people-to-people ties. Speaking amid continuing conflicts in the Middle East and their impact on energy supplies and economies, Modi called for the SCO to focus on practical outcomes built around three key pillars: security, connectivity and opportunity.
On terrorism, Modi called for a coordinated approach targeting the entire ecosystem that enables terrorist activity, including financing, recruitment, radicalisation and safe havens. He stressed that there should be no double standards in dealing with terrorism and urged SCO members to send a clear message against countries that support terrorism as an instrument of state policy. He also called for stronger regional cooperation against drug trafficking, organised crime and other emerging security threats.
Afghanistan was another key area highlighted by Modi, who stressed the importance of peace, stability and continued humanitarian assistance for the Afghan people. He also called for regional conflicts to be addressed through dialogue and diplomacy rather than military escalation. According to Modi, prolonged conflicts can have wider consequences for energy security, maritime trade and global supply chains, making diplomatic engagement important for regional and global stability.
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On connectivity and trade, Modi called for reliable and inclusive networks that respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries in accordance with the SCO Charter. He highlighted the need to improve logistics, simplify customs procedures and expand digital documentation to make trade more efficient. The Prime Minister also emphasised that regional connectivity should translate into practical economic opportunities for businesses and communities.
Modi further called for SCO cooperation to remain focused on people, particularly youth, entrepreneurs, farmers and other sections of society. He highlighted existing initiatives such as the SCO Start-up Forum, Young Authors' Conclave and Young Scientists' Forum as platforms for greater interaction and collaboration. He also backed stronger scientific, entrepreneurial and cultural exchanges among member countries.
The SCO was established in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, with India and Pakistan joining as full members in 2017. Iran became a member in 2023 and Belarus in 2024. This year's summit was held in an expanded SCO-Plus format, bringing together leaders and representatives from additional partner countries. Modi's address focused on strengthening cooperation across security, connectivity and economic opportunity while expanding exchanges among the people of the wider Eurasian region.
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