India calls for zero tolerance against terrorism at SCO meeting in Moscow

New Delhi, Nov 18: At the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Moscow on November 18, 2025, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar strongly reiterated India’s firm position against terrorism, calling it one of the core challenges facing the world today.

He stressed that the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation was founded to fight the “three evils” of terrorism, separatism and extremism, and warned that these threats have only grown more serious over time.

He underlined the need for unwavering global resolve, stating that terrorism must be confronted without compromise.

India emphasised that there can be no justification or tolerance for any form of terrorism and urged SCO members to ensure that it is not ignored, supported or whitewashed.

Jaishankar said that, as India has demonstrated, every nation has the right to defend its people against terrorism and will exercise that right when necessary.

The minister said that counterterrorism must remain central to SCO’s agenda, even as the group expands cooperation in economic, cultural and humanitarian areas.

Alongside security concerns, Jaishankar addressed key areas of cooperation discussed during the session.

He noted that the current global economic environment is uncertain and volatile, and highlighted the need to de-risk and diversify supply chains.

India urged members to build fair, transparent and equitable economic links and pointed to ongoing efforts to conclude free trade agreements with several SCO partners.

On cultural cooperation, he said India’s historical ties with SCO nations make cultural engagement particularly significant.

He recalled PM Modi’s proposal to launch an SCO Civilizational Dialogue Forum and underlined the importance of people-to-people exchanges involving intellectuals, artists, sportspersons and cultural figures. He mentioned India’s recent cultural outreach efforts, including the display of sacred Buddhist relics in several SCO countries and offers to share India’s heritage conservation expertise in Central Asia.

In the humanitarian domain, he referred to India’s assistance during pandemics, conflicts and natural disasters.

He cited examples such as the supply of vaccines and medicines, provision of cancer treatment equipment, and India’s rapid relief assistance following earthquakes in Afghanistan.

He also drew attention to India’s initiative for the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.

Jaishankar called for reform and modernisation of the SCO, emphasising flexible and adaptable structures as the organisation becomes more diverse.

He welcomed centres focused on challenges such as drug trafficking, organised crime and cybersecurity, and urged members to prioritise making English an official language of the SCO.

He also highlighted India’s efforts to encourage innovation and youth engagement through initiatives such as the SCO Special Working Group on Startups and Innovation, the SCO Start-Up Forum, and the recent SCO Young Authors Forum held in New Delhi.

Concluding his remarks, Jaishankar said the SCO must evolve with contemporary changes, expand its agenda and reform its methods.

He affirmed that India will continue to contribute actively and positively to these objectives.