Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a strong message against terrorism at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Tuesday, calling for a united international response and warning against any double standards in dealing with terrorism. His remarks came in the presence of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, adding significance to the statement.
Addressing the SCO leaders, Modi said terrorism must be confronted collectively and without exceptions. He stressed that there should be no room for different standards when countries respond to terrorism, and called for the dismantling of the entire ecosystem that enables terrorist activity.
The Prime Minister specifically highlighted the need to target terrorism’s financing, recruitment, radicalisation and safe havens. He argued that merely condemning individual attacks is not enough and that the wider networks supporting terrorism must also be dismantled.
“Terrorism Cannot Be a Strategic Asset”
One of the strongest elements of Modi’s address was his warning against treating terrorism as a tool of national policy. He said countries that use terrorism to advance their objectives or provide shelter and support to terrorist groups should face a firm response from the international community.
“Terrorism cannot be a strategic asset,” Modi said, underscoring India’s long-standing position that terrorism should not be justified or selectively addressed for geopolitical purposes.
The statement was particularly notable because Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was among the leaders attending the summit. Modi did not name Pakistan directly in the remarks, but his comments about countries supporting or sheltering terrorists were widely viewed in the context of India’s concerns about cross-border terrorism.
Call for Dialogue and Diplomacy
Alongside his remarks on terrorism, Modi emphasised the importance of resolving international disputes through peaceful means. He said there is no lasting solution on the battlefield and called for conflicts and wars to be addressed through dialogue and diplomacy.
His comments came as the SCO summit took place against the backdrop of continuing international conflicts, including the war in Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East. Modi stressed that peace and stability are essential for economic development and regional cooperation.
SCO’s Focus on Regional Security
The SCO summit brought together leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other regional leaders. Security, terrorism, connectivity and economic cooperation were among the major issues on the agenda.
Modi’s intervention placed terrorism firmly among India’s key priorities at the multilateral forum. India has consistently pushed for stronger international cooperation against terrorist organisations, their financial networks and the infrastructure that enables recruitment and radicalisation.
The Prime Minister’s remarks in Bishkek therefore carried both a regional and global message: countries cannot selectively oppose terrorism while tolerating or supporting those who facilitate it. For India, the SCO platform remains an important avenue for pressing for collective action against terrorism while promoting dialogue, connectivity and regional stability.
