Kashmir Impulse Desk
Dushanbe, Oct 20
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday called on Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states to work collectively to dismantle the entire ecosystem supporting terrorism, saying there could be no justification or double standards in tackling the threat.
Addressing the 25th meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Singh said terrorism cost innocent lives, disrupted investment and trade, fuelled radicalisation and deprived young people of opportunities.
“There can be no justification for terrorism, no double standards in addressing it, and no place for those who finance, support, or provide safe havens to terrorists,” he said.
Singh recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis at the SCO summit in Bishkek in August-September 2026 on concrete action in security, connectivity and economic cooperation.
He said the organisation should uphold sovereign equality, consensus and mutual respect, while ensuring economic cooperation was inclusive and beneficial to all members. New institutional mechanisms, he added, should address clearly defined needs, avoid duplication and produce practical results.
Highlighting geopolitical tensions, trade disruptions and uncertainty over supply chains, energy and food security, Singh called for stronger supply networks, expanded trade and investment, and greater use of technology to promote development.
He reaffirmed India’s support for an action plan covering the SCO Programme of Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation for 2026-2030.
Singh welcomed the decisions taken at the Bishkek summit to establish the Universal Centre in Tashkent and the Anti-Drug Centre in Dushanbe as permanent SCO bodies.
Their effectiveness would depend on coordination and timely implementation, he said.
On regional connectivity, Singh cited the International North-South Transport Corridor and Chabahar Port as important routes linking Central Asia with wider markets.
He said connectivity initiatives should facilitate trade and open development opportunities, while respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries.
He also called for simpler customs procedures, digital documentation, improved logistics and interoperable digital systems to reduce business costs across the region.
Referring to recent efforts to deepen economic ties with Central Asia, Singh highlighted a symposium on financing infrastructure projects held in Mumbai earlier this month.
He thanked Central Asian countries and other SCO partners for participating and welcomed the first SCO Asian Economic Dialogue.
Singh said the organisation’s success should be measured by its impact on ordinary people, including opportunities for young people, wider markets for entrepreneurs and access to technology for farmers and small businesses.
He cited India’s digital public infrastructure, start-up ecosystem and focus on women-led development as examples of initiatives supporting inclusive growth.
He also highlighted the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, Mission LiFE and the Global Biofuel Alliance as efforts promoting sustainability, climate resilience and cleaner energy.
As the SCO marks 25 years, Singh urged members to turn consensus into concrete outcomes and invited them to participate in the first SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum, which India is scheduled to host later this year.
The meeting reviewed economic and trade cooperation, including transport, finance, the digital economy and social development. Delegations adopted a joint communiqué, the SCO budget for 2027 and the action plan for multilateral trade and economic cooperation for 2026-2030.
India has been a full member of the SCO since 2017 and participates in its various mechanisms.
