TIANJIN, CHINA — Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India participated in the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) held in Tianjin, China, from August 31 to September 1, 2025. The summit provided a platform for member states to engage in high-level discussions on a range of critical issues, including the SCO Development Strategy, global governance reform, counter-terrorism efforts, peace and security, and economic and financial cooperation.
In his address to the council, Prime Minister Modi outlined India’s strategic approach to strengthening cooperation within the SCO framework. He emphasized that India’s vision for the organization is built on three core pillars: security, connectivity, and opportunity.
Highlighting the paramount importance of security, Prime Minister Modi called for firm and decisive action against terrorism in all its forms. He underscored the need for coordinated efforts to combat terror financing and radicalization. The Prime Minister thanked SCO member countries for their solidarity following the recent Pahalgam terror attack and stressed the need for a unified stance on terrorism, urging the group to hold nations that perpetrate and support cross-border terrorism accountable.
On the subject of connectivity, Prime Minister Modi highlighted its role in fostering development and building trust among nations. He reiterated India’s strong support for key regional projects, including the Chabahar port and the International North-South Transport Corridor.
The Prime Minister also spoke about the vast opportunities available for cooperation in the fields of start-ups, innovation, youth empowerment, and shared heritage. To further promote cultural understanding and people-to-people ties, he proposed the establishment of a “Civilizational Dialogue Forum” within the SCO.
Prime Minister Modi also expressed India’s support for the SCO’s ongoing reform agenda, welcoming the creation of new centers to address organized crime, drug trafficking, and cybersecurity. He called for a similar collective approach from the SCO to the reform of multilateral institutions, including the United Nations.
The Prime Minister extended his gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping for the warm hospitality and congratulated him on the successful organization of the summit. He also congratulated Kyrgyzstan on assuming the next Presidency of the SCO. The summit concluded with the adoption of the Tianjin Declaration by the SCO member countries.
