Tianjin: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today extended a diplomatic invitation to member nations of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to participate in India’s rising development trajectory, emphasizing the country’s commitment to reform, performance, and transformation.
Speaking at the opening session of the SCO Summit in Tianjin, PM Modi underlined that India’s domestic growth agenda is inseparable from its international engagement. “Today, India is exploring new opportunities. We invite you to be a part of India’s journey of development,” he said, signaling a vision where global cooperation and national progress move hand in hand.
Highlighting the principles guiding India’s domestic and foreign policy, Modi said, “Reform, perform, and transform are not just slogans; they define governance at home and India’s engagement with international forums like the SCO.” Stressing strategic autonomy, the Prime Minister noted that relations between India and China should be viewed independently, without interference from third-party perspectives.
On the theme of connectivity, PM Modi redefined it as more than just infrastructure, asserting that true connectivity fosters trust, trade, and sustainable development. “That is why we are actively working on projects like Chabahar Port and the International North-South Economic Corridor, enhancing connectivity with Afghanistan and Central Asia,” he explained. Modi further emphasized, “Connectivity must always respect sovereignty and territorial integrity a core principle of the SCO Charter. Any connectivity that bypasses sovereignty undermines trust and purpose.”
The Indian Prime Minister welcomed the SCO’s evolving structure, noting the establishment of four new centres to address emerging challenges such as organized crime, drug trafficking, and cybersecurity. “We appreciate this reform-oriented mindset and encourage member states to adopt a unified stance against terrorism,” Modi added, calling for collective action to eradicate security threats.
This summit, hosted by China, marks PM Modi’s first visit to the country in seven years, carrying significant diplomatic weight amid lingering tensions following the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes. Founded in 2001, the SCO brings together eight nations, including India, China, and Russia, as a platform for regional political, economic, and security cooperation.
With this address, PM Modi projected India not only as a rising economic power but as a hub for strategic collaboration, inviting the world to actively participate in shaping the country’s development story.