Should the Fight Against Terrorism Stay a Priority for the SCO?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Prioritization of terrorism: The SCO must maintain its focus on combating terrorism.
- India's commitment: India is ready to share expertise in sustainable development.
- Call for accountability: Nations supporting terrorism must be held responsible.
- Importance of connectivity: Enhancing connectivity is crucial for fostering trust.
- Global discussions: The summit addressed critical issues like governance reform and economic cooperation.
Tianjin, Sep 2 (NationPress) Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has reiterated India's position that the battle against terrorism must remain a central focus for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
During his speech at the SCO-plus meeting in Tianjin, Misri emphasized India's willingness to share its knowledge and initiatives aimed at sustainable development with SCO allies.
"Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri participated and made a statement at the SCO Plus Meeting in Tianjin on 1 Sept 2025. He underscored the necessity for UN reform, reaffirmed that combating terrorism should continue to be a critical priority of the SCO, and showcased India’s commitment to share its expertise in sustainable development with SCO partners," stated the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, on X this Tuesday.
In his address at the 25th Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State in Tianjin on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also stressed the importance of coordinated efforts against terror financing and radicalization.
Highlighting India's strategy for enhancing cooperation within the SCO framework, PM Modi pointed out that India aspires for increased actions under three essential pillars – Security, Connectivity, and Opportunity. He emphasized that peace, security, and stability are crucial for progress and prosperity, urging member nations to take bold and decisive actions against terrorism in all its forms.
Expressing gratitude to member nations for their unwavering support following the Pahalgam terror attack, PM Modi insisted that there should be no double standards in addressing terrorism and called for accountability for nations that foster and support cross-border terrorism.
PM Modi also highlighted the vital role of connectivity in promoting development and building trust. He affirmed India's strong backing for initiatives like the Chabahar port and the International North-South Transport Corridor.
The summit facilitated fruitful discussions on the SCO's development strategy, reforming global governance, counter-terrorism, peace and security, economic and financial collaboration, and sustainable development.
The SCO is a permanent intergovernmental international organization founded in Shanghai on June 15, 2001. Current member states include: China, Russia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Belarus. The SCO also has two observer states — Afghanistan and Mongolia, along with 14 dialogue partners — Turkey, Kuwait, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Bahrain, The Maldives, Myanmar, and The United Arab Emirates.