Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly called for a united global approach against terrorism at the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, in the presence of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Addressing the gathering of world leaders, Modi said terrorism remains a serious challenge to humanity and called for a policy of zero tolerance against it. He stressed that there should be no room for double standards on such a sensitive issue.
The Prime Minister called for dismantling the entire ecosystem supporting terrorism, including terror financing, recruitment, radicalisation and safe havens. He also urged the international community to send a strong message to countries that use terrorism as an instrument of state policy or provide shelter and support to terrorists.
Modi highlighted three key pillars for the SCO—security, connectivity and opportunity. He said reliable connectivity among SCO member states is essential for shared progress and prosperity.
Referring to conflicts in West Asia, Modi said security challenges have expanded significantly in an interconnected world. Regional conflicts can affect energy security, maritime trade and global supply chains. India, he reiterated, believes that conflicts must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy rather than on the battlefield.
India also called for preparing a 25-year roadmap for the SCO to strengthen cooperation among member states.
A notable moment came during the group photograph, when Modi stood alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The visual of Modi holding hands with the two leaders drew attention, with the scene being seen as a reflection of India’s growing diplomatic influence.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was also present at the summit, though the group photograph generated considerable attention over the positioning of the leaders.