Tianjin: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday addressed the plenary session of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit, which brought together more than 20 global leaders and representatives of 10 international bodies. In his 11-minute speech, the Prime Minister strongly condemned Pakistan’s support for terrorism, citing the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that claimed 26 lives, and urged member nations to adopt a united stance against extremism.
Expressing gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping for his hospitality, Modi began his remarks by extending greetings to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan on their respective national days. Reflecting on India’s approach to the SCO, he highlighted three guiding pillars: Security, Connectivity, and Opportunity.
On the first pillar Security the Prime Minister underlined that peace and stability are the foundation of growth, but terrorism, separatism, and radicalisation pose serious threats. “No country, no society, no citizen is immune from terrorism. Double standards in dealing with terror are unacceptable,” he said, urging SCO members to take a firm, collective stand. Modi noted India’s leadership in SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) this year, including its efforts against Al-Qaeda and affiliated organizations, as well as its call for tighter action against terror financing.
Turning to Connectivity, Modi said India views it as a path to trust and development, referencing projects such as Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor. He stressed that sovereignty and territorial integrity must remain at the core of any connectivity project, warning that initiatives undermining sovereignty cannot foster genuine cooperation.
On the third pillar Opportunity Modi recalled India’s SCO presidency in 2023, when themes like start-ups, traditional medicine, youth empowerment, and cultural heritage were introduced into the bloc’s agenda. To deepen people-to-people ties, he proposed creating a Civilizational Dialogue Forum within the SCO to showcase the region’s shared heritage in art, literature, and traditions.
Highlighting India’s reform agenda, the Prime Minister noted how the country has transformed challenges such as the pandemic and economic volatility into growth opportunities, opening new avenues for both domestic and international cooperation. He urged SCO members to work together for reforms in global institutions, especially the United Nations, stressing that the aspirations of the Global South should not remain trapped in outdated frameworks.
“The new generation cannot be shown multicolored dreams on a black-and-white screen. We need to change the screen itself,” Modi said, underlining SCO’s role in shaping a modern, inclusive, multilateral world order.
The Prime Minister also welcomed SCO’s recent decision to establish four new centers to tackle issues such as organized crime, narcotics trade, and cyber threats. Concluding his speech, Modi congratulated Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov, who will assume the SCO Chairmanship, and reaffirmed India’s commitment to constructive cooperation within the grouping.