At SCO Summit, Modi Says West Asia Crisis Shows Conflicts Have Global Reach

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday told leaders at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek that the ongoing crisis in West Asia has demonstrated that conflicts no longer remain confined to their region of origin. He warned that such situations directly affect global energy security, maritime trade, and supply chains, with the Global South bearing the heaviest consequences.

Speaking at the summit, Modi reiterated India's consistent position that all tensions and disputes can only be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, not on the battlefield. His remarks come as the West Asia war, which began in February with US and Israeli attacks on Iran, enters its sixth month with no resolution in sight. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is also attending the summit.

Strong message on terrorism

Modi also addressed the issue of terrorism, calling it a grave challenge for all humanity. He urged member states to move beyond an 'action-reaction' mindset and work to dismantle the entire ecosystem of terror financing, recruitment, radicalisation, and safe havens. In an apparent reference to state-sponsored terrorism, he said countries that use terrorism as an instrument of state policy and provide shelter to terrorists must be sent a strong message that terrorism cannot be a strategic asset for anyone.

He stressed that there is no room for double standards on this critical issue, a statement made as Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif listened. India has previously accused Pakistan of involvement in the terror attack in Pahalgam in April last year, which led to a four-day military confrontation in May.

Connectivity and SCO's future

Underlining the need for robust and reliable connectivity, Modi said India supports initiatives that connect markets and facilitate trade, but asserted that respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity must remain paramount. He called for simplifying customs procedures, promoting digital documentation, and enhancing logistics networks to expand connectivity in the future.

Recalling India's three pillars for the SCO—Security, Connectivity, and Opportunity—Modi said the grouping has built a strong tradition of dialogue over the past 25 years. He called for translating this cooperation into tangible results in the next 25 years, placing people-to-people ties at the heart of the effort. He highlighted initiatives like the Start-up Forum and the SCO Civilizational Dialogue Forum, whose first session will be held in India this year.

Quoting Kyrgyz writer Chingiz Aitmatov, Modi said the message to look at what unites us rather than what separates us is relevant for the SCO today. He concluded by saying India is ready to contribute to the common journey of the SCO family, moving from shared geography to shared opportunities.