Opinion PM Modi’s address to SCO 2025: Security, Connectivity, Opportunity

Over the past 24 years, the SCO has played a vital role in connecting the extended family across the Eurasian region. As an active member, India has always contributed in a constructive and positive manner.

India’s vision and policy towards the SCO are built on three key pillars: S — Security. C — Connectivity. O — Opportunity.

On the first pillar, I would like to emphasise that security, peace, and stability form the foundation of any nation’s development. However, terrorism, separatism, and extremism remain major challenges along this path.

Terrorism is not only a threat to the security of individual nations, but a shared challenge to all of humanity. No country, no society, no citizen can consider themselves completely safe from it. That is why India has consistently stressed the importance of unity in the fight against terrorism.

The SCO-RATS has played a very significant role in this regard. This year, while leading the Joint Information Operation, India undertook an initiative to counter al-Qaeda and its affiliated terrorist organisations. We have also proposed enhanced coordination, and joint measures against radicalisation.

We have raised our voice firmly against terror financing, and I sincerely thank all of you for the support extended in this effort.

For the past four decades, India has been bearing the grave scars of ruthless terrorism. Countless mothers have lost their children, and innumerable children have been left orphaned.

Recently, we witnessed the most heinous face of terrorism in Pahalgam. I express my deep gratitude to all the friendly nations that stood by us during this moment of grief. This attack was not only an assault on the conscience of India, but also an open challenge to every nation, and every individual who believes in humanity.

In such circumstances, it is natural to ask: Can the open support for terrorism by certain countries ever be acceptable to us?

We must state it clearly and in one voice: Double standards on terrorism are unacceptable. Together, we must oppose terrorism in every form and manifestation. This is our responsibility towards humanity.

I would now like to share my thoughts on the second pillar, connectivity. India has always believed that strong connectivity does not merely facilitate trade but also opens the doors to trust and development.

It is with this vision that we are working on initiatives such as the Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor. Through these, we can enhance our linkages with Afghanistan and Central Asia.

We believe that every effort towards connectivity must uphold the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. This is also enshrined in the core principles of the SCO charter.

Connectivity that bypasses sovereignty ultimately loses both trust and meaning.

The third pillar is opportunity — opportunity for cooperation and reform.

In 2023, under India’s presidency, the SCO witnessed fresh energy and ideas. New areas of cooperation were introduced, including start-ups and innovation, traditional medicine, youth empowerment, digital inclusion, and our shared Buddhist heritage.

Our effort was to take the SCO beyond governments. To connect people, young scientists, scholars, and start-ups as well.

Today, I would like to propose another step to strengthen our people-to-people ties: The creation of a civilisational dialogue forum under the SCO. Such a platform will allow us to share the richness of our ancient civilisations, art, literature, and traditions on a global stage.

Today, India is advancing with the motto of Reform, Perform, and Transform. From the Covid crisis to global economic uncertainties, we have endeavoured to convert challenges into opportunities.

We are consistently pursuing wide-ranging reforms, which are creating new opportunities for both national development and international cooperation. I warmly invite you all to be a part of India’s development journey.

It is a matter of great satisfaction that the SCO is evolving with time. Four new centres are being established to address contemporary challenges such as organised crime, drug trafficking, and cybersecurity. We welcome this reform-oriented approach.

SCO members can increase mutual cooperation for reforms in global institutions. On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, we can unanimously call for UN reform.

To confine the aspirations of the Global South to outdated frameworks is to deny justice to future generations. The colourful dreams of the new generation cannot be displayed on a black-and-white screen. It is time to change the screen.

The SCO can play a guiding role in promoting multilateralism and an inclusive world order. I welcome the issuance of a statement on this important subject today.

We are moving forward in close coordination and cooperation with all partners. I extend my best wishes to the next Chairman of the SCO, the President of Kyrgyzstan, and my friend, President Japarov.

Thank you very much.

The writer is Prime Minister of India. This is the English translation of his statement during the 25th SCO summit