Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday delivered a strong message against terrorism at the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), calling out “certain nations” for openly supporting terror and stressing that such “double standards” cannot be accepted.
Referring to the April Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, PM Modi said the incident was not just an assault on India but “an open challenge to every country that believes in humanity.” He urged SCO members to speak in one voice, declaring zero tolerance for terrorism in all its forms.
“India has been bearing the brunt of terrorism for the last four decades. The Pahalgam attack showed us the worst face of terrorism. At this time, it is natural to ask whether open support of terrorism by some countries is acceptable to us. We must unanimously oppose terrorism in every form and colour. No double standards will be acceptable—this is our duty to humanity,” PM Modi said in his address.
The Prime Minister outlined India’s efforts to combat terrorism globally, recalling its leadership in countering Al Qaeda networks and terror financing through multilateral initiatives. He emphasised that security, connectivity, and opportunity remain the three pillars of the SCO, with peace and stability forming the foundation of development.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was present during Modi’s remarks, a significant context given India’s concerns over cross-border terrorism. Modi reiterated that terrorism is not just a threat to one country but a challenge for all of humanity.
Following the Pahalgam attack, India launched Operation Sindoor, conducting precision strikes against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK), while repelling retaliatory aggression and targeting Pakistani airbases.
This year’s SCO summit is being held in Tianjin, with leaders from the 10-member grouping—Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan—along with observers and dialogue partners. Since joining as a full member in 2017, India has actively participated in SCO processes, including chairing the Council of Heads of Government in 2020 and the Council of Heads of State from 2022–23.
