Defence Minister Advocates for Unified Action Against Terrorism at SCO Meeting
Collective Action Against Terrorism Emphasized
Defence Minister Singh (3rd from left) during the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (CHG) of the SCO, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. (Photo:PTI)
Dushanbe, Oct 20: During the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized the urgent need to dismantle the entire “ecosystem of terrorism.” He stated that there is no justification for double standards when addressing this global threat.
Singh highlighted that terrorism poses a significant risk to peace and development, asserting, “Terrorism radicalizes societies and robs our youth of their rightful opportunities.” He called for decisive action against those who finance, support, or shelter terrorists.
“There is no room for those who provide financial backing or safe havens to terrorists. A comprehensive and united effort is essential to dismantle the entire terrorism ecosystem,” Singh declared.
Notably, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar was present during Singh's address.
Singh is currently on a two-day official visit to Tajikistan, representing India at the SCO meeting.
In addition to security issues, the Defence Minister stressed the significance of economic collaboration among member nations. He reiterated India's commitment to the 2026–2030 action plan under the Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation Programme.
“India believes that our economic interactions should be inclusive and advantageous for all member states. We must strive to create more resilient supply chains, enhance trade and investment, and leverage technology for development,” he stated.
Furthermore, Singh announced that India will host the inaugural SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum by the end of this year, inviting participation from all member countries. This initiative follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposal at the SCO Council of Heads of State summit in Tianjin in 2025, aimed at fostering people-to-people connections and showcasing the rich heritage of ancient civilizations, arts, literature, and traditions on a global platform.