India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delivered a firm message on combating global terrorism during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting held in Moscow on Tuesday. Emphasizing an uncompromising stance, he reiterated that the world must refuse to justify, overlook, or sanitize any form of terrorism.
Jaishankar reminded member nations that the SCO was originally created to confront the challenges of terrorism, separatism, and extremism—issues that, he noted, have grown more dangerous over time. Stressing India’s position, he affirmed that New Delhi will always defend its citizens against terrorist threats and expects collective global responsibility in doing so.
The Council of Heads of Government, the SCO’s second-highest decision-making platform, meets annually to discuss significant economic and trade priorities, as well as the organization’s budget. The previous CHG meeting took place in Pakistan in October 2024.
During his address, Jaishankar highlighted that building strong regional partnerships requires meaningful engagement between societies. He said that as a civilizational nation, India views people-to-people connections as the foundation of genuine international relationships. More exchanges among scholars, cultural figures, athletes, and artists, he explained, can help deepen understanding within the SCO. He cited the display of sacred Buddhist relics in various SCO member countries as a successful example of cultural collaboration. India, he added, is ready to share its substantial expertise in heritage conservation with Central Asian nations for humanitarian and cultural projects.
Looking ahead, Jaishankar voiced India’s full support for a reform-driven approach within the SCO. He welcomed the creation of specialized centers addressing organized crime, narcotics, and cybersecurity, underlining their importance. However, he stressed that as the SCO grows more diverse, the organization must also evolve. One overdue change, he said, is making English an official working language—an adjustment he believes should be prioritized.
On economic matters, the minister pointed to the current global climate as highly uncertain and volatile, with supply and demand pressures creating added unpredictability. He underscored the urgent need to diversify and reduce economic risks by deepening commercial ties among member states. For this expansion to be sustainable, Jaishankar said, trade processes must be fair, transparent, and equitable. He noted that India’s ongoing push to secure free trade agreements with several SCO countries aligns with this broader objective.
