At the SCO Summit 2025 in Tianjin, PM Modi raised the Pahalgam terror attack with Pakistan PM Sharif present, thanked supportive nations, and called out countries that openly back terrorism, stressing unity against all forms of terror.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered India’s statement at the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Members Session in Tianjin, China, on Monday, making a strong and pointed appeal on the issue of terrorism, with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif present in the room.
Opening his address, PM Modi thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping for the warm welcome, calling the summit “a grand opportunity to strengthen regional cooperation.” He also extended greetings to Uzbekistan on its Independence Day, highlighting India’s commitment to maintaining friendly ties with SCO member states.
S-C-O: Security, Connectivity, and Opportunity
PM Modi outlined India’s vision for the SCO, framing it around three key pillars: Security, Connectivity, and Opportunity.
- On Security, he said terrorism, separatism, and extremism remain “big challenges” to both national and regional stability.
- Connectivity, he added, must respect sovereignty, citing India’s initiatives such as the Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor as examples of how India is building trust through trade and transport networks.
- Opportunity, he explained, comes from turning challenges into growth, urging SCO members to participate in India’s development journey.
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PM Modi Raises Pahalgam Terror Attack in Pakistan PM’s Presence
In a moment that drew keen attention, PM Modi directly referenced the Pahalgam terror attack, saying, “India has been bearing the brunt of terrorism for the last four decades. Recently, we saw the worst side of terrorism in Pahalgam. I express my gratitude to the friendly country that stood with us in this hour of grief.”
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His remarks were not just a reflection on India’s pain but a subtle rebuke to countries that continue to “openly support terrorism,” an indirect reference to Pakistan. The Prime Minister stressed that “no double standards are acceptable on terrorism” and called for unanimous opposition to terrorism in all its forms.
“This attack was an open challenge to every country and person who believes in humanity. In such a situation, it is natural to raise the question of whether the open support of terrorism by some countries can be acceptable to us. We have to unanimously oppose terrorism in every form and colour. This is our duty towards humanity,” he said.
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PM Modi underlined that terrorism is not merely a national issue but a global challenge: “Security, peace and stability are the basis of development of any country. But terrorism, separatism and extremism are big challenges in this path. Terrorism is not just a challenge to the security of a country but a common challenge for all of humanity. No country, no society, no citizen can consider itself safe from it. Therefore, India has emphasised unity in the fight against terrorism.”
He highlighted India’s proactive role in combating terror networks, from Al Qaeda to terror financing, and thanked member countries for supporting these initiatives.
“India took the initiative to fight Al Qaeda and the terrorist organisations associated with it by leading the Joint Information Operation. We raised our voice against terror financing. I express gratitude for your support in it,” he added.
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Connectivity Beyond Borders, India’s Development Vision
The Prime Minister also emphasized that connectivity initiatives must respect sovereignty. “Connectivity that bypasses sovereignty loses trust and meaning,” he said, urging member nations to invest in projects that build both infrastructure and relationships.
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Ending on a forward-looking note, PM Modi reiterated India’s mantra of Reform, Perform, Transform, inviting SCO members to engage with India’s development story. He highlighted the country’s focus on turning challenges into opportunities, from economic growth to regional partnerships.
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The 25th SCO Summit is the largest in the organization’s history, with 20 foreign leaders and 10 heads of international organizations, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, attending. Founded in 2001, the SCO has expanded to include 10 members, two observers, and 14 dialogue partners, representing nearly half the world’s population and a quarter of the global economy.