September 1, 2025 – Beijing, China

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit plenary session in China on Monday, sharing India’s vision for regional security, connectivity, and cooperation. The session included more than 20 foreign leaders and 10 heads of international organisations, providing a platform for India to emphasise its proactive role in promoting stability and development across Eurasia.

Opening his speech, PM Modi expressed gratitude to President Xi Jinping for the warm welcome and congratulated leaders on their respective national celebrations. Highlighting India’s commitment to the SCO over the past 24 years, he outlined the country’s three-pillar approach: S for Security, C for Connectivity, and O for Opportunity.

Under the security pillar, Modi underscored that peace and stability are essential for national development. He condemned terrorism, separatism, and radicalism as common threats to humanity, stressing that no country is immune. Recalling the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives, he thanked countries that supported India during this crisis and called out nations providing open support to terrorism. “No double standards on terrorism will be acceptable. We must jointly oppose terrorism in all its forms and colours. This is our duty towards humanity,” he said.

On connectivity, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of trust, trade, and cooperation. He cited India’s initiatives like Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor to strengthen links with Afghanistan and Central Asia. Modi stressed that all connectivity efforts must respect sovereignty and territorial integrity, noting that bypassing these principles undermines trust.

The opportunity pillar focused on cooperation and reform. Modi highlighted India’s efforts to introduce innovation, start-ups, traditional medicine, youth empowerment, digital inclusion, and shared Buddhist heritage into SCO cooperation. He proposed establishing a Civilizational Dialogue Forum under SCO to promote ancient civilizations, art, literature, and traditions globally.

Modi reflected on India’s development mantra: Reform, Perform, Transform, noting the country’s proactive response to global challenges such as COVID-19 and economic instability. He invited SCO members to participate in India’s development journey and emphasized the importance of reform-oriented mindsets in addressing contemporary challenges, including organised crime, drug trafficking, and cybersecurity.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the need for UN reforms, calling for the aspirations of the Global South to be recognized in modern global governance. “Keeping the aspirations of the Global South imprisoned in outdated frameworks is a grave injustice to future generations,” he said, urging SCO members to promote multilateralism and an inclusive world order.

Concluding his 11-minute speech, PM Modi wished success to the next SCO Chairman, President Japarov of Kyrgyzstan, and reaffirmed India’s commitment to cooperation and coordination with all partners in the region. His remarks reinforced India’s vision of a secure, connected, and opportunity-driven Eurasian region.