Bishkek, September 1: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit, reflecting on the importance of civilization and culture while holding Pakistan accountable. He emphasized India’s commitment to a global vision, initiatives, and vibrant dialogue among the world’s top leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
During his speech, Modi stressed the need for a robust tradition of dialogue and cooperation. He outlined goals for the past 25 years and set objectives for the next 25. “Over the past quarter-century, the SCO has developed a strong tradition of dialogue and cooperation across Eurasia. Together, we have made invaluable contributions to the welfare of our people and the development of humanity. Our goal for the next 25 years should be to translate this cooperation into tangible outcomes,” he stated.
Modi clarified the true purpose of the SCO, reiterating three main pillars: Security, Connectivity, and Opportunity. He urged that these pillars be advanced from vision to concrete results, with peace and security as prerequisites.
His remarks, made in the presence of Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, underscored India’s clear stance on the need for united action against terrorism. Modi asserted that mere retaliatory measures against terrorists are insufficient; the entire terrorism infrastructure must be dismantled. He highlighted the necessity to eliminate funding, recruitment, radicalization, and safe havens for terrorists, calling for a unified approach without double standards.
The Prime Minister also addressed drug trafficking as a serious issue, stating that it poses a significant threat to youth and regional security. He noted that the SCO’s efforts to establish centers to tackle security threats, organized crime, information security, and narcotics are positive steps forward.
Modi emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy for peace, pointing out that conflicts in one region can have global repercussions, particularly affecting energy security and maritime trade. He called for resolutions to tensions and wars through dialogue rather than military confrontation.
He advocated for shared development while stressing the importance of sovereignty and territorial integrity. Modi stated that India supports all efforts that connect markets, facilitate trade, and open new avenues for development, while respecting the sovereignty of all nations, which aligns with the SCO Charter’s core spirit.
The Prime Minister also referred to the SCO’s greatest asset, emphasizing that its cooperation must directly benefit the people. He described the SCO as a confluence of great civilizations, cultures, and ideas, suggesting that people-to-people connections should be central to the SCO’s collaboration in the next 25 years.
Modi called for new opportunities for youth, stating that the true measure of success lies in the opportunities available to young people, new markets for entrepreneurs, technological benefits for farmers, and an improved quality of life for citizens.
He stressed that cooperation should be ‘people-driven’ rather than ‘government-driven.’ Praising Kyrgyzstan’s presidency for focusing on youth engagement, he mentioned India’s initiatives like the SCO Startup Forum, Young Authors Conclave, and Young Scientists Forum. He expressed happiness that the first session of the SCO Civilizational Dialogue Forum, proposed last year in India, will be held this year, aiming to create a vibrant platform for dialogue among member states.
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