NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called on the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to adopt a united approach against terrorism, urging member states to dismantle networks involved in terror financing, recruitment, radicalisation and providing safe havens.
Speaking at the annual SCO summit in the presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Modi said countries that use terrorism as an instrument of state policy must be sent a clear message that terror cannot serve as a strategic asset.
“Terrorism continues to pose a serious challenge to humanity as a whole. In the fight against terrorism, we cannot remain confined to an action-reaction approach,” Modi said.
“We must dismantle the entire ecosystem of terrorist financing, recruitment, radicalisation, and safe havens. We must speak with one voice and make it clear that there can be no place for double standards on this serious issue,” he said.
The remarks were seen as a direct reference to Pakistan’s alleged support for terror groups.
Modi also called for stronger cooperation against countries that provide shelter and backing to terrorists. “We must send a strong message to countries that use terrorism as an instrument of policy and provide safe haven and support to terrorists that terrorism can never be a strategic asset for anyone,” he said.
West Asia conflict
Turning to the situation in West Asia, Modi said the repercussions of regional conflicts can extend far beyond their immediate geographical boundaries, affecting global energy supplies, maritime commerce and supply chains.
“In today’s interconnected world, the scope of security has become even broader. The crisis in West Asia has demonstrated that a conflict in one region does not remain confined to that region,” he said.
“Its impact is felt across the world, affecting energy security, maritime trade, and supply chains. The countries of the Global South bear the greatest brunt of such disruptions,” Modi added.
He reiterated India’s position that disputes and conflicts should be resolved through negotiations rather than military action.
“Therefore, India has consistently called for all tensions and conflicts to be resolved not on the battlefield, but through dialogue and diplomacy,” the prime minister said.
Modi also linked peace in Afghanistan to stability across Eurasia, saying India would continue its development assistance and humanitarian support for the Afghan people.
Connectivity must respect sovereignty
Without naming China’s Belt and Road Initiative, Modi said connectivity projects should adhere to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, a principle enshrined in the SCO Charter.
India has opposed the BRI, particularly because the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
“However, it is equally essential that such efforts respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. This is also the fundamental spirit of the SCO Charter,” Modi said.
He said connectivity should go beyond roads, railways and air links, with SCO members also working towards easier customs procedures, digital documentation and more efficient logistics networks.
Modi said India supported initiatives that link markets, promote trade and create new opportunities for economic development.
Focus on security, connectivity and opportunity
The prime minister’s address was anchored around three themes — security, connectivity and opportunity — which formed the core of India’s vision for the SCO outlined at the previous summit.
He said cooperation within the grouping should have a direct impact on people’s lives, particularly by creating opportunities for young people, expanding markets for entrepreneurs and enabling farmers to benefit from technology.
“Our greatest strength is the connections between our people. For India, the SCO is a confluence of great civilisations, cultures, and ideas. Over the next twenty-five years of the SCO, people-to-people ties should remain at the heart of our cooperation,” Modi said.
He added that the success of SCO cooperation should ultimately be measured by the opportunities it creates for youth, the markets opened for businesses, the benefits delivered to farmers and improvements in the lives of citizens.