PM Modi calls to dismantle terrorism ecosystem at SCO summit, urges strong message to terror-sponsoring nations

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for dismantling the "entire ecosystem of terrorism", asserting in the presence of his Pakistani counterpart Shehbaz Sharif at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit that the countries that use terrorism as an instrument of their policy must be sent a strong message that it cannot be a strategic asset for anyone.

Addressing the 26th SCO summit in Kyrgyzstan's capital Bishkek on Tuesday, he said terrorism remains a "grave challenge" for all of humanity and stressed that the fight against it cannot be limited to a "mere 'action-reaction' mindset."

Read more: PM Modi at SCO: Shun double standards on terror, choose dialogue & diplomacy to resolve conflicts


"We must dismantle the entire ecosystem of terrorism - its financing, recruitment, radicalisation and safe havens. We must speak in one voice that there can be no place for double standards on this serious issue," Modi said. "Those countries that use terrorism as an instrument of their policy, and provide shelter and support to terrorists, must be sent a strong message that terrorism cannot be a 'strategic asset' for anyone."

In the SCO Declaration, the member states reaffirmed their pledge to combating terrorism and separatism.

They stressed the inadmissibility of attempts to exploit terrorist, separatist and extremist groups for mercenary purposes.

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The member states strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, emphasised that "double standards" in the fight against terrorism are unacceptable and called on the international community to combat terrorism, including cross-border movement of terrorists.

A key outcome of the summit for India was the approval of the regulations for the Universal Centre for Countering Challenges and Threats to the Security of SCO Member States. The framework is expected to strengthen cooperation among the 10-member Eurasian grouping in dealing with terrorism, extremism, organised crime and other transnational threats. It will also support greater coordination and information sharing among the member countries on cross-border security challenges.

The development is particularly significant for India as it has consistently called for stronger international cooperation against cross-border terrorism and has advocated a zero-tolerance approach to terrorist networks and their financing.

In his address Prime Minister Modi also said that peace and security remain the first pillar of India's vision for the SCO, alongside 'connectivity' and 'opportunity'. "Our shared aspiration for a peaceful and secure Eurasia is also linked to peace and stability in Afghanistan," he said, adding that India had been contributing to the development and humanitarian assistance of the people of Afghanistan and would continue to do so.

On the West Asia crisis, he said conflict in one region does not remain confined there and its impact is felt on "energy security, maritime trade and supply chains of the entire world." "The countries of the global south have to bear the maximum brunt of this. Therefore, India's call has been that the solution to all tensions and wars is not possible on the battlefield, but only through dialogue and diplomacy," Modi said.

The Prime Minister also referred to drug trafficking as a serious threat to the younger generation and regional security, calling for stronger cooperation through SCO mechanisms dealing with security threats, organised crime, information security and narcotics. "We must make them effective mediums for practical coordination and timely action," he said.

At the Bishkek summit, SCO leaders adopted a programme to coordinate measures against the proliferation of synthetic drugs and their precursors until 2030. The initiative seeks to address the growing challenge of synthetic narcotics, prevent the diversion of precursor chemicals and improve information sharing and operational coordination among enforcement agencies of member states.

Another programme on cooperation in combating drug addiction until 2030 was also signed. According to the external affairs ministry, the initiative complements India's efforts to reduce drug demand by encouraging the exchange of practices related to prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. Together, these measures give India additional avenues to work with SCO partners on both the supply and demand sides of the drug problem.

Prime Minister Modi further called for the benefits of SCO cooperation to reach people directly and for people-to-people ties to be placed at the centre of this cooperation. "The benefits of SCO cooperation should reach our people directly. Our greatest capital is the ties among our people. For India, the SCO is a confluence of great civilisations, cultures and ideas. In the next 25 years of the SCO, people-to-people ties should be placed at the centre of our cooperation," he said.

"The true measure of our success should be how many new opportunities our efforts have created for young people, how many new markets have opened up for our entrepreneurs, how much our farmers have benefited from technology, and how much better the lives of our citizens have become. This is the true meaning of 'Security, Connectivity and Opportunity'," Modi said.

India has taken initiatives such as the SCO Start-up Forum, Young Authors' Conclave and Young Scientists' Forum, the PM told the gathering. "Last year, India proposed the SCO Civilizational Dialogue Forum. I am pleased that its first session will be held in India this year," he said.

In addition to the declaration, SCO leaders signed more than 20 other documents, including an action plan for the development of ports and logistics centres of the organisation's member countries for 2026-2030.

They also signed a declaration on strengthening multilateral partnership for nuclear and physical nuclear security, a statement by the Council of Heads of State of SCO Member States on developing cooperation in energy systems and a cooperation programme for establishing the SCO "Green Technology Corridor" for 2026-2030.

The two-day summit, which concluded on Tuesday, was held under the theme '25 Years of the SCO: Together for Sustainable Peace, Development and Prosperity'. Besides member states - China, Russia, India, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Iran, Belarus and Pakistan - it brought together 15 partner countries and two observer countries to advance dialogue and cooperation on regional and global issues. UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres also attended the summit.