Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Modi Urges SCO to Reject Terrorism as State Policy
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke at a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Bishkek.
He said terrorism is a serious problem for every country.
Modi asked SCO members to work together against the money, recruitment, extreme ideas and safe places that help terrorists.
He said countries should not use terrorism as a tool of government policy.
His comments were widely seen as criticism of Pakistan, although he did not name Pakistan in the quoted remarks.
Pakistan was preparing to take over the SCO chairship from Kyrgyzstan.
Modi also said wars and other conflicts should be solved through talking and diplomacy.
He explained that conflicts can affect energy, shipping and supplies around the world.
He said India would continue helping Afghanistan with development and humanitarian needs.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation to confront countries using terrorism as an instrument of state policy.
He called for dismantling terrorist financing, recruitment, radicalisation and safe-haven networks, while rejecting double standards.
Modi said conflicts, including the West Asia crisis, should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy rather than on battlefields.
He supported connectivity projects that expand trade but said they must respect countries’ sovereignty and territorial integrity, an apparent reference to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Modi linked peace in Eurasia to stability in Afghanistan, pledged continued Indian development and humanitarian assistance, and spoke as Pakistan prepared to take over the SCO chairship.
- Who
- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, including Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
- What
- Modi called for unified action against terrorism, rejected terrorism as an instrument of state policy, and promoted diplomacy, connectivity and cooperation.
- When
- Tuesday, during the annual SCO Heads of States Summit; the reports describe it as occurring during Modi’s two-day visit to Kyrgyzstan.
- Where
- Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
- Why
- Modi said terrorism and regional conflicts threaten security, energy supplies, maritime trade and supply chains, and urged stronger cooperation among SCO members.
India’s Position
Regional Interpretations and Context
Terrorism and state policy
India’s Position
Modi called for a united SCO response against countries that use terrorism as state policy or provide terrorists with shelter and support, and urged members to reject double standards.
Regional Interpretations and Context
The remarks were widely interpreted as a direct or indirect criticism of Pakistan over allegations that it supports or shelters terrorist groups; the reports do not provide Pakistan’s response.
Connectivity and sovereignty
India’s Position
India supports projects that connect markets and facilitate trade, but says they must respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of every country, consistent with the SCO Charter.
Regional Interpretations and Context
The comments were seen as an apparent reference to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which India opposes because part of it passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir; the reports do not provide China’s response.
Responding to conflicts
India’s Position
India argues that conflicts, including the West Asia crisis, should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy instead of military action.
Regional Interpretations and Context
Modi highlighted the wider effects of regional conflicts on energy security, maritime trade and supply chains, particularly for countries in the Global South; the reports do not identify a competing position from other SCO leaders.
- Organisation
- The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, or SCO.
- Main security proposal
- Dismantle terrorist financing, recruitment, radicalisation and safe-haven networks.
- Political message
- Countries using terrorism as an instrument of state policy should be confronted, and double standards should be rejected.
- Diplomatic position
- Tensions and conflicts should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy rather than on the battlefield.
- Connectivity principle
- Projects connecting markets and facilitating trade should respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries.
- Afghanistan
- India said it would continue contributing to Afghanistan’s development and humanitarian needs.
- SCO chairship
- Pakistan was set to take over the chairship from Kyrgyzstan until the following Heads of States Summit.
