Rajnath Singh calls for united action against terrorism at SCO meeting

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday called on Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states to dismantle the entire ecosystem of terrorism, saying there could be no justification or double standards in confronting the threat.

Addressing the 25th SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Singh described terrorism as one of the gravest threats to peace and development, undermining investment, commerce and opportunities for young people.

“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,” he said.

Singh also stressed that regional connectivity projects must be developed through consultation and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. Projects that did not follow these principles would not be sustainable, he said.

The Minister highlighted the International North-South Transport Corridor and Chabahar Port as initiatives that could connect Central Asia with wider markets. Beyond physical infrastructure, he called for simpler customs procedures, digital documentation, better logistics and interoperable digital systems to reduce business costs.

Against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions, disrupted supply chains and concerns over food and energy security, Singh urged the organisation to translate consensus into practical action. He reaffirmed India’s support for the Action Plan for the Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation Programme for 2026–2030.

He said economic cooperation should be inclusive and mutually beneficial, while new SCO mechanisms should address clearly identified needs, avoid duplication and deliver practical value.

Singh welcomed decisions to establish the Universal Centre in Tashkent and the Anti-Drug Centre in Dushanbe as permanent SCO bodies, saying their effectiveness would depend on coordination and timely implementation.

“Our success should be measured by the opportunities we create for youth, new markets we open for our entrepreneurs, technologies we make available to our farmers and small-scale business owners, and the connections we foster among societies,” he said.

Highlighting India’s development experience, Singh pointed to digital public infrastructure, financial inclusion, the startup ecosystem and women-led development. He also outlined India’s international initiatives on clean energy, disaster-resilient infrastructure, sustainable lifestyles and biofuels.

The minister invited member states to participate in the first SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum, which India will host later this year.

The meeting reviewed cooperation in trade, transport, finance, the digital economy and social development. Delegation heads adopted a joint communiqué, the SCO budget for 2027, financial and administrative decisions, and the trade and economic cooperation action plan for 2026–2030. India has been a full member of the SCO since 2017.

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