Modi’s SCO Message: Unite Against Terror, Build for Growth

New Delhi, September 01, 2026 The 26th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Bishkek focused on strengthening regional security, connectivity and development. With the organisation completing 25 years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a clear roadmap for the next 25 years and urged member countries to turn cooperation into concrete outcomes. Addressing the summit, PM Modi thanked Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov for his warmth and hospitality. Reiterating India’s position on conflicts, he said military means cannot resolve them and that dialogue and diplomacy are the only way forward. Calling terrorism a grave threat to humanity, he stressed the need to dismantle the entire terror ecosystem and maintained that there should be no double standards in the fight against terrorism. PM Modi highlighted the importance of reliable connectivity for expanding trade, linking markets and creating fresh development opportunities across SCO countries. At the same time, he reiterated that connectivity initiatives must respect national sovereignty and territorial integrity. He also underlined the potential of technology, entrepreneurship, innovation and start-ups, while welcoming greater youth and people-to-people engagement among SCO members. The Prime Minister said India would be pleased to host the first SCO Civilisation Dialogue Forum later this year. The Bishkek Summit adopted the Bishkek Declaration along with four Memoranda of Understanding and more than 20 decisions and statements covering areas including climate, nuclear safety, energy conservation and combating drug addiction. Several India-led or supported initiatives, including English as an official language in the SCO Charter, the Young Scientist Forum and the Young Author’s Conclave, were incorporated into the declaration. PM Modi also highlighted Afghanistan’s importance to Eurasian regional security and India’s development and humanitarian assistance there. Thanking President Zhaparov for the successful organisation of the summit, he reaffirmed India’s commitment to working with the SCO family for shared progress and prosperity. The Bishkek meeting thus reflected India’s push for stronger collective action on security while expanding cooperation in connectivity, innovation and development.