Daijiworld Media Network - Dushanbe
Dushanbe, Oct 20: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday described terrorism as one of the most serious threats to peace and development, asserting that it could never be justified and that there should be no double standards in dealing with it.
Addressing the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting in Tajikistan's Dushanbe, Singh called for the firm and collective elimination of the entire ecosystem of terrorism.
“Terrorism remains one of the most serious threats to peace and development. Terrorism not only harms innocent lives but also disrupts investment and commerce. Terrorism radicalises societies and deprives our youth of the opportunities they deserve. Therefore, there can be no justification for terrorism. There can be no double standards in dealing with it (terrorism), and there can be no place for those who finance, support, or provide safe haven to terrorists. The entire ecosystem of terrorism must be firmly and collectively eliminated,” he said.
Singh recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks at the SCO Summit in Bishkek, where he outlined India's vision for the organisation based on security, connectivity and opportunity. He said the three pillars were mutually reinforcing, as security encouraged investment while connectivity facilitated trade.
“We deeply value our long-standing friendship and enduring bonds with the countries of Central Asia. Our leaders at the SCO Committee in Bishkek celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. It was an occasion to review our shared journey and to discuss the future direction. Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had called upon the SCO organisation to take concrete steps on the issues of security, collectivity and opportunity. That message is particularly relevant for the Council of Heads of Government,” Singh said.
He also expressed India's support for adopting the Action Plan for the Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation Programme for 2026–2030.
Highlighting the challenges facing the global economy, Singh said conflicts and geopolitical tensions were disrupting trade and supply chains, while energy and food security remained matters of concern for India. He added that emerging technologies were transforming economies but also creating new divides.
“Today, we face conflict in an uncertain global economic environment. Conflicts and geopolitical tensions are disrupting trade and supply chains. Energy and food security are a matter of concern for us. New technologies are transforming economies while also creating new divides. In this situation, the SCO will be assessed by whether it can find common ground and act on it,” he said.
Singh stressed that India's economic engagement with SCO members should be inclusive and mutually beneficial.
“India believes that our economic engagement should be inclusive and beneficial to every member country. We should work towards building more resilient supply chains, facilitating trade and investment, and using technology for development. We must also ensure that the benefits of economic cooperation reach all sections of our society,” he added.