Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to adopt a united approach against terrorism and dismantle the entire ecosystem that supports it. Speaking at the 26th SCO Summit in Bishkek, Modi stressed that terrorism cannot be addressed through an isolated “action-reaction” approach and called for stronger collective action.
Modi’s remarks focused on the broader infrastructure that enables terrorism, including terror financing, recruitment, radicalisation and safe havens. He argued that countries using terrorism as an instrument of policy must receive a clear message that terrorism cannot become a strategic asset.
Why Modi’s SCO Message Is Significant
The timing and setting of Modi’s remarks are important. The SCO includes India, Pakistan, China, Russia, Iran and several Central Asian nations, making it a significant platform for discussing regional security.
For India, terrorism has remained one of its major foreign-policy and security concerns. Modi’s call for “no double standards” reflects New Delhi’s argument that the international community must apply consistent standards when dealing with terrorism, regardless of where attacks originate or which geopolitical interests are involved.
The presence of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the summit added another layer to the message. Although Modi did not need to name any particular country, his comments about nations using terrorism as a policy tool and providing safe havens were widely viewed as relevant to India’s long-standing concerns about cross-border terrorism.
From Terrorist Attacks to the Wider Ecosystem
One of the most important aspects of Modi’s speech was his focus on the entire terrorism ecosystem rather than only the individuals carrying out attacks.
Terrorist organisations require money, recruitment networks, ideological radicalisation, logistical support and locations where operatives can operate. Addressing only the final stage—the attack itself—does not necessarily eliminate the infrastructure behind it.
This makes Modi’s approach broader than conventional counterterrorism operations. It calls for governments to target the systems that allow terrorist organisations to survive and regenerate.
SCO’s Role in Regional Security
The SCO was established with regional security and cooperation as important areas of its agenda. Its membership gives the organisation access to countries located across a strategically important part of Eurasia.
A coordinated SCO approach could potentially strengthen cooperation on intelligence sharing, counterterrorism financing, cyber threats, border security and preventing radicalisation.
However, implementing such cooperation is complicated because SCO members have different strategic priorities and relationships with one another.
India and China, for example, cooperate within multilateral organisations while remaining strategic competitors. India and Pakistan also have serious political and security disagreements.
Therefore, turning Modi’s call for unity into practical action will require considerable diplomatic effort.
Modi Links Security With Connectivity
Modi’s SCO vision also extends beyond terrorism. He described India’s approach around three broad priorities: Security, Connectivity and Opportunity.
Connectivity is particularly important for India because Central Asia offers significant economic and strategic opportunities. New trade routes can help connect markets and facilitate economic development.
At the same time, Modi emphasised that connectivity projects should respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries. This position is significant in the context of competing infrastructure and connectivity initiatives across Eurasia.
Dialogue and Diplomacy Remain Important
Despite his strong position on terrorism, Modi also emphasised dialogue and diplomacy as the preferred means of resolving wars and conflicts.
This reflects India’s broader foreign-policy approach: maintaining a firm position on terrorism while supporting diplomatic solutions to international conflicts.
At the SCO summit, Modi also urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to work toward ending the Ukraine war, demonstrating that India’s diplomatic messaging extends beyond South Asian security concerns.
The Larger Geopolitical Message
Modi’s SCO speech demonstrates India’s attempt to shape discussions within a changing international system.
Rather than limiting its engagement to traditional alliances, India is using platforms such as the SCO to communicate directly with Russia, China, Iran and Central Asian countries.
The challenge will be converting political statements into measurable cooperation.
For the SCO to effectively address terrorism, member states would need stronger mechanisms for information sharing, financial tracking, border coordination and action against organisations that facilitate extremist activity.
Ultimately, Modi’s message was not simply about responding to terrorist attacks. It was about dismantling the networks and conditions that allow terrorism to survive.
If the SCO can translate that principle into coordinated action, it could strengthen regional security. If differences between member states prevent implementation, the declaration may remain primarily diplomatic.
