PM Modi Calls for Stronger Security, Connectivity and Cooperation at 26th SCO Summit

· Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the 26th SCO Summit held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, from 31 August to 1 September 2026.

· The Summit marked the 25th anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), with leaders reviewing the organisation's role in promoting peace, security, stability and prosperity.

· PM Modi called for a roadmap for the next 25 years, focusing on India's vision of Security, Connectivity and Opportunity.

· He reiterated that conflicts cannot be resolved on the battlefield and stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy.

· India called for decisive action against terrorism, emphasising that there should be no double standards in combating terrorism.

· PM Modi highlighted the importance of peace and stability in Afghanistan for Eurasian security and noted India's development and humanitarian assistance.

· India supported trusted connectivity initiatives that promote trade and development while respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity.

· PM Modi highlighted opportunities in technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, start-ups and youth engagement.

· India announced that it will host the first SCO Civilisation Dialogue Forum later in 2026.

· The Summit adopted the Bishkek Declaration, four MoUs and more than 20 decisions and statements covering areas including climate, nuclear safety, energy conservation and combating drug addiction.

· Indian initiatives reflected in the Bishkek Declaration included English as an official language of the SCO Charter, the Civilisation Dialogue Forum, Young Scientist Forum and Young Authors' Conclave.

· India reaffirmed its commitment to working with SCO member states for shared progress, prosperity and regional cooperation.

[ABS News Service/02.09.2026]

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 1 September, 2026 participated in the 26th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, between August 31 - September 01, 2026.

This year marks SCO’s 25th anniversary. On this occasion, the leaders took stock of the progress and exchanged views on furthering SCO’s role for peace, security, stability and prosperity in the region.

Prime Minister began his address by thanking the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, H.E. Mr. Sadyr Zhaparov for his warmth and hospitality. He noted that the 25th anniversary of the Summit was an opportune time to lay the roadmap for the next 25 years, building upon the strong tradition of dialogue and cooperation developed by SCO. He stated that in the last Summit, India had shared its vision of Security, Connectivity and Opportunity, and now the group must work to realise concrete outcomes in these three pillars of joint work. He reiterated India’s position that conflicts cannot be resolved on the battlefield and dialogue and diplomacy are the only way forward. Highlighting that terrorism was a grave threat to humanity, he called for committed action to dismantle the terror ecosystem. He specifically stressed that there should be no double standards whatsoever in fight against terrorism. Noting that security in the Eurasia region was closely linked to peace and stability in Afghanistan, he highlighted India’s development and humanitarian assistance to the country.

Prime Minister further stated that strong and trusted connectivity initiatives were important for the group’s shared progress and prosperity. Underlining that India supports connectivity efforts that link markets, enhance trade and open new opportunities for development, he reiterated that such efforts should respect sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations. He further elaborated that technology, entrepreneurship, innovation, start-ups and people-to-people initiatives open immense opportunities for people in the SCO countries. In this regard, he appreciated the focus on youth engagement under Kyrgyzstan’s presidency. Prime Minister underscored that India would be delighted to host the first edition of the SCO Civilisation Dialogue Forum, later this year. This has been India’s flagship initiative seeking to forge civilisational exchanges among the member states.

Besides the Bishkek Declaration, four MoUs, and over twenty decisions and statements were adopted at the Summit in fields ranging from climate, nuclear safety, energy conservation, and combating drug addiction.

India led and supported several initiatives which find place in the Bishkek Declaration, such as English in SCO Charter as the Official Language; Civilization Dialogue Forum; Young Scientist Forum; and Young Author’s Conclave.

Prime Minister thanked President H.E. Sadyr Jhaparov for the successful organization of the Summit. He expressed India’s commitment to work with the SCO family for shared progress and prosperity.