New Delhi, Oct 20: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday called upon Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states to work together to dismantle the entire ecosystem of terrorism, asserting that there could be no justification for the menace or double standards in dealing with it. Addressing the 25th meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, he said terrorism claimed innocent lives, disrupted investment and trade, encouraged 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,” Rajnath Singh said. He recalled Prime Minister NarendraModi’s emphasis at the SCO Summit in Bishkek in August-September 2026 on taking concrete steps in security, connectivity and economic cooperation.
Rajnath Singh said the SCO must remain committed to sovereign equality, consensus and mutual respect. He stressed that economic engagement should be inclusive and mutually beneficial to all member states, adding that new institutional mechanisms should address clearly identified needs, avoid duplication and deliver practical results.
Highlighting the challenges posed by geopolitical tensions, trade disruptions, supply-chain uncertainties and concerns over energy and food security, the Defence Minister called for stronger supply chains, greater trade and investment and wider use of technology to promote development. He reaffirmed India’s support for adopting an Action Plan for the SCO Programme of Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation for 2026-2030.
Rajnath 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 success, he said, would depend on effective coordination and timely implementation.
On regional connectivity, he said India supported initiatives that linked markets, facilitated trade and opened new avenues for development. He cited the International North-South Transport Corridor and Chabahar Port as important routes for connecting Central Asia with wider markets. “Connectivity must be based on consultation and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries,” he said, warning that projects not founded on these principles would not be sustainable.
He also called for simplifying customs procedures, promoting digital documentation, improving logistics and adopting interoperable digital systems to reduce the cost of doing business across the region.
Referring to India’s recent initiatives to strengthen economic engagement with Central Asia, the Defence Minister highlighted a symposium on financing infrastructure projects in the region held in Mumbai earlier this month. He thanked Central Asian countries and SCO partners for their participation and also welcomed the organisation of the first SCO Asian Economic Dialogue.
Emphasising that the success of the organisation should be measured by its impact on ordinary people, he said cooperation must create opportunities for young people, open markets for entrepreneurs and make new technologies accessible to farmers and small businesses.
He cited India’s Digital Public Infrastructure, start-up ecosystem and emphasis on women-led development as examples of how technology and innovation could support inclusive growth. Rajnath Singh also highlighted India’s global initiatives, including the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, as well as Mission LiFE and the Global Biofuel Alliance, which promote sustainable lifestyles, climate resilience and cleaner energy.
Calling for a forward-looking roadmap as the SCO marks 25 years of its existence, he urged member states to translate consensus into concrete outcomes. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to working with all members and invited them to participate in the first SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum to be hosted by India later this year.
The meeting reviewed progress in economic and trade cooperation and discussed ways to strengthen collaboration in transport, finance, the digital economy and social development. The heads of delegation adopted a joint communiqué, along with 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 actively participates in its various mechanisms.
About The Author
