Terrorism can't be strategic asset: PM's firm message at SCO, Pak's Sharif present

Delivering a strong message on terrorism at the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called for the dismantling of the entire terror ecosystem and asserting that there can be “no room for double standards."

PM Modi's stern remarks came during the roundtable discussion, which was attended by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other SCO leaders.

“We must speak with one voice that there can be no room for double standards on this serious 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.

Besides PM Modi and Sharif, the discussion in the Kyrgyz capital was attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon.

PM ON SECURITY

Speaking about the broader security challenges facing the region, PM Modi said the “perimeter of security” had grown wider in an increasingly interconnected world.

“In today's interconnected world, the perimeter of security has grown even wider. The crisis in West Asia has shown that conflict in one region does not remain confined to that region alone... its effects are felt across the world's energy security, maritime trade, and supply chains,” he said.

He said countries of the Global South bear the heaviest cost of such conflicts and reiterated India's position that wars and tensions must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.

“Countries of the Global South bear the heaviest cost of this. That is why India has consistently called for all tensions and wars to be resolved not on the battlefield, but through dialogue and diplomacy,” PM Modi said.

PM ON NARCO-TERRORISM

The Prime Minister also flagged drug trafficking as a growing threat to both young people and regional security, calling for stronger cooperation among SCO countries to tackle narcotics and organised crime.

“Drug trafficking is not merely a crime...it is a serious threat to our younger generation and to regional security,” he said.

PM Modi welcomed the centres being established under the SCO to address challenges including security threats, organised crime, information security and narcotics.

“The Centres being established under the SCO to tackle challenges such as security threats, organised crime, information security, and narcotics are a positive step. We must make these effective instruments of practical coordination and timely action,” he said.

PM ON CONNECTIVITY

On connectivity, PM Modi said India supported efforts to link markets, facilitate trade and create new pathways for development, but stressed that such initiatives must respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations.

“India supports all efforts that connect markets, ease trade, and open new pathways to development. However, it is equally essential that these efforts respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations... this is also the core spirit of the SCO Charter,” he said.

He said the scope of connectivity would expand beyond physical infrastructure to include customs, digital documentation and logistics.

“In the times ahead, the scope of connectivity will grow even wider. Alongside roads, railways, and air corridors, we must simplify customs processes, promote digital documentation, and make logistics networks more efficient,” PM Modi said.

OPPORTUNITY MUST REACH PEOPLE DIRECTLY

The Prime Minister also outlined “opportunity” as the third pillar of India's approach to the SCO, saying the benefits of cooperation must directly reach citizens.

“The third pillar is Opportunity. This means that the benefits of SCO cooperation must reach our people directly. Our greatest asset is the bond between our people,” he said.

“For India, the SCO is a confluence of great civilisations, cultures, and ideas. In the SCO's next twenty-five years, people-to-people ties must remain at the heart of our cooperation."

He said the success of SCO cooperation should ultimately be measured by the opportunities it creates for young people, entrepreneurs and farmers and by its impact on people's lives.

26TH SCO SUMMIT

Earlier, the SCO leaders gathered for the official group photograph, a traditional feature of the annual summit.

During the family photo session, PM Modi was seen briefly exchanging words with Xi Jand Putin.

While the Prime Minister and Xi were seen shaking hands and speaking briefly before the leaders posed for the group photograph, Sharif was seen approaching Putin immediately after the photograph.

On the sidelines of the two-day summit, PM Modi also held bilateral meetings with Pezeshkian and Putin on Monday. A bilateral meeting with Xi, however, is unlikely.