On Tuesday, 1st September, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a strong message against terrorism at the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, calling for the dismantling of the entire terror ecosystem. Speaking during a roundtable discussion attended by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other SCO leaders, Modi stressed that countries cannot follow different standards when dealing with terrorism.
PM Modi calls for ‘no double standards’ on terrorism
Modi said all SCO members must take a united stand against terrorism and send a clear message to countries that support terror groups.
“We must speak with one voice that there can be no room for double standards on this serious issue. Countries that use terrorism as an instrument of policy, and that provide shelter and support to terrorists, must be given a firm message: terrorism cannot be a strategic asset for anyone,” he said.
PM @narendramodi participated in the 26th SCO Summit in Bishkek, reiterating India’s call for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve conflicts. He stressed zero tolerance for terrorism with no double standards, while highlighting connectivity, technology, innovation, startups and… pic.twitter.com/YinhoFCzvL
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The roundtable was attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, along with Sharif.
Modi’s remarks come against the backdrop of India’s long-standing concerns over Pakistan’s support for terror groups targeting India. The Pahalgam terror attack last year, in which tourists were killed by Pakistan-linked terrorists, led India to launch Operation Sindoor against terrorist infrastructure and Pakistani military targets.
Statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 26th SCO Summit-
— ANI (@ANI) September 1, 2026
PM Modi says, "It is now time to move these three pillars beyond mere vision and translate them into concrete outcomes. The foremost requirement for this is peace and security. Terrorism remains a grave… pic.twitter.com/4TmoN6wMxl
The Prime Minister also spoke about infrastructure cooperation among SCO countries. He said such projects can help improve regional connectivity, but they must respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries.
The point is particularly significant in the context of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which passes through Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. CPEC is a planned network of infrastructure projects connecting China’s Xinjiang region with Pakistan’s Gwadar Port.
With both Xi Jinping and Shehbaz Sharif present at the summit, the SCO provided an important platform for India to reiterate its position on terrorism, sovereignty and regional connectivity.
India, Pakistan among SCO members
The SCO focuses on strengthening mutual trust, friendship and good-neighbourly relations among its members while promoting cooperation in areas of common interest.
The organisation was established in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan became full members in 2017, followed by Iran in 2023 and Belarus in 2024.
Modi’s message at the summit placed the fight against terrorism at the centre of India’s engagement with the SCO, while also calling for cooperation that respects the sovereignty of all participating countries.
