BISHKEK — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to jointly dismantle the “entire ecosystem of terrorism”, warning against countries that use extremist groups as instruments of state policy.
Addressing the 26th SCO Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Tuesday, Modi said terrorism remained one of the gravest threats to humanity and could not be addressed through selective measures or an “action-reaction” approach.
He said the international community must target the broader networks that enable terrorism, including financing, recruitment, radicalisation and the provision of safe havens.
Modi also warned that no country should be permitted to treat terrorism as a “strategic asset” or provide shelter and support to terrorist organisations. He said the global fight against terrorism must be consistent and free from “double standards”.
Peace and security, Modi said, form the first pillar of India’s vision for the SCO, alongside connectivity and economic opportunity.
Turning to Afghanistan, the Indian prime minister said the objective of building a peaceful and secure Eurasian region was closely linked to stability in the country. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting the Afghan people through humanitarian assistance and development cooperation.
Modi also addressed ongoing conflicts in West Asia, warning that their consequences extend far beyond the region. Disruptions to energy security, maritime trade and global supply chains, he said, often place the greatest burden on developing countries in the Global South.
Reiterating India’s diplomatic position, Modi said tensions and wars could not be resolved on the battlefield and must instead be addressed through dialogue and diplomacy.
The prime minister also identified drug trafficking as a growing threat to young people and regional security. He called for stronger practical cooperation through SCO mechanisms dealing with organised crime, narcotics, information security and other cross-border threats.
Modi said the SCO’s institutional platforms must become more effective channels for intelligence-sharing, coordination and timely action among member states.
Looking ahead, he urged the organisation to place citizens at the centre of its agenda over the next 25 years.
According to Modi, the success of the SCO should be measured by the opportunities it creates for young people, the markets it opens for entrepreneurs, the technological benefits it delivers to farmers and its overall impact on people’s lives.
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov is hosting the summit as the current chair of the organisation.
The gathering is also being attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
The leaders of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan — Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Emomali Rahmon — are also participating. (Source: IE)
