Bishkek, September 1: Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the need to dismantle the entire ecosystem of terrorism during the 26th SCO Summit held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. He stressed the importance of curbing elements that promote radical thinking. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also attended the summit.
While addressing the assembly on Tuesday, PM Modi stated, “Over the past twenty-five years, the SCO has developed a strong tradition of dialogue and cooperation across the vast Eurasian landscape. Together, we have made invaluable contributions to the welfare of our people and the development of humanity. In these twenty-five years, we have laid a strong foundation for cooperation. Our goal for the next twenty-five years should be to translate this cooperation into tangible outcomes.”
The Prime Minister articulated India’s vision for the SCO. He remarked, “As the world faces uncertainty and instability, we must transform our shared geography into shared opportunities and bring positive changes to our people’s lives. In the last meeting, I mentioned three main pillars of India’s approach to the SCO: S for Security, C for Connectivity, and O for Opportunity. It is now time to advance these pillars beyond vision to achieve concrete outcomes. The first requirement for this is peace and security. Terrorism remains a serious challenge to humanity. In our fight against it, we cannot limit ourselves to an action-reaction mindset.”
PM Modi clarified India’s stance on terrorism, stating, “We must dismantle the entire ecosystem of terrorism, including its financing, recruitment, radicalization, and safe havens. We must speak in one voice that there can be no room for bilateral standards on this serious issue.”
Without naming any specific country, he continued, “Countries that use terrorism as a tool of policy and provide shelter and support to terrorists must receive a strong message that terrorism cannot be a strategic asset for anyone. Our shared aspiration for a peaceful and secure Eurasia is also linked to peace and stability in Afghanistan. India has consistently contributed to the development and humanitarian assistance of the Afghan people and will continue to do so.”
The Prime Minister deemed interconnectedness essential for the world. He stated, “In today’s interconnected world, the scope of security has expanded. The crises in West Asia have shown that conflicts in one region do not remain confined there. They impact global energy security, maritime trade, and supply chains, with the Global South bearing the brunt. Therefore, India has consistently advocated that all tensions and wars should be resolved not on the battlefield, but through dialogue and diplomacy.”
PM Modi also underscored the need to combat drug trafficking, describing it as not just a crime but a serious threat to our youth and regional security. He noted, “The centers being established under the SCO to address security threats, organized crime, information security, and narcotics are a positive step. We must make them effective through practical coordination and timely action.”
Leave a Comment