India on Friday urged the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to adopt a firm and principled approach against terrorism, extremism and cross-border terror while calling for a more inclusive and representative multipolar world order during the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Cholpan Ata, Kyrgyz Republic.
Representing India at the meeting, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said the SCO must remain committed to its core principles of combating terrorism, separatism, extremism and transnational crime to ensure regional peace, stability and mutual trust.
“The condemnation of terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism, must be unequivocal,” Singh said, stressing that dismantling terror networks, safe havens, radicalisation, terror financing and drug trafficking would significantly strengthen regional cooperation and economic integration.
Addressing the gathering of SCO foreign ministers, Singh congratulated Kyrgyzstan on its leadership of the organisation during a period marked by global uncertainty and geopolitical challenges. He noted that as the SCO marks its 25th anniversary, the grouping has emerged as an influential platform in the contemporary geopolitical landscape.
He said India’s engagement with the SCO continues to be guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Security, Connectivity and Opportunity”, aimed at promoting regional stability, economic growth, cooperation and stronger people-to-people ties.
Highlighting the changing global landscape, Singh said emerging security threats, armed conflicts, food and energy insecurity, supply chain disruptions, climate-related challenges and uneven economic recovery have disproportionately affected the Global South.
He asserted that these challenges require “reformed multilateralism” and deeper cooperation among SCO member states, while emphasising the need to uphold sovereignty, territorial integrity and international law.
On regional connectivity, Singh said India supports initiatives that facilitate trade and transit, including the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), the Chabahar Port project, the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline and transnational energy grid initiatives.
He stressed that connectivity projects should be guided by the principles of transparency, inclusivity, financial sustainability and respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The minister also highlighted India’s readiness to deepen cooperation in emerging technologies such as digital innovation, information and communications technology and artificial intelligence. He called for stronger collaboration among academia, startups and innovation ecosystems across SCO member states to accelerate shared development.
Emphasising the importance of cultural ties, Singh said India also seeks to expand cooperation in yoga, traditional medicine and youth exchanges to strengthen people-to-people connections within the SCO region.
Announcing a new initiative, Singh said India will host the first SCO Civilizational Dialogue Forum later this year to promote dialogue based on the region’s rich civilisational heritage. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has agreed to deliver the keynote address at the inaugural session and invited all SCO member states to participate actively in the forum.
Concluding his remarks, Singh reaffirmed India’s commitment to working constructively with all SCO members to build a secure, stable, inclusive and responsive organisation and assured Kyrgyzstan of India’s full support for the successful conduct of the upcoming SCO Leaders’ Summit in Bishkek.
