Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a sharp, unequivocal message on terrorism at the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, declaring that “there is no place for double standards” in countering terror. His remarks came as Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif sat in the audience alongside other heads of state, underscoring the diplomatic weight of the statement.
Modi directly targeted states that have institutionalised support for terror, saying, “Those countries that have made terrorism part of their policy and are sheltering and helping terrorists should be given one message: terrorism cannot be anyone’s strategic asset.” The phrasing was a clear reference to long-standing Indian allegations that Pakistan has used cross-border terrorism as an instrument of state policy, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Indian Prime Minister stressed the need to dismantle terrorist networks and speak with one voice on the issue. “We must break the structure of terrorism. On this critical subject, we must say in one voice: there is no place for double standards,” Modi said, framing counter-terrorism as a non-negotiable pillar of regional security.
His comments echoed New Delhi’s repeated calls at multilateral forums for concrete action against terror groups operating from neighbouring territories.
Alongside the hardline stance on terror, Modi also issued a broader appeal for peace, urging an end to conflict and a return to dialogue. The dual message—firm on terrorism, yet open to peace—positioned India as pushing for stability in the region while holding neighbouring states accountable for alleged sponsorship of militant outfits.
The speech at the SCO summit thus served both as a policy statement and a diplomatic signal: while India remains engaged in regional cooperation frameworks, it will continue to call out what it sees as state-sponsored terrorism, even in the presence of leaders like Sharif.
