With Pakistan's deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar seated at the same table, defence minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday delivered a strong message against terrorism at a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in Tajikistan, declaring that there could be no place for countries or entities providing financial support or safe havens to terrorists.
"There can be no justification for terrorism, no double standards in addressing it, and no place for those who finance, support, or provide safe havens to terrorists," Singh said at the 25th Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government in Dushanbe.
Calling terrorism one of the gravest threats to peace and development, Singh urged member countries to work together to dismantle its entire ecosystem.
He warned that terrorism not only claimed innocent lives but also radicalised societies, disrupted investment and commerce, and deprived young people of opportunities.
The defence minister's remarks came during a gathering attended by senior representatives of SCO member states, including Dar.
Singh also recalled the SCO Summit held in Bishkek in August-September 2026, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi had emphasised the need for concrete action on security, connectivity and opportunity.
"India believes that the SCO must remain efficient and steadfast in its adherence to the principles of sovereign equality, consensus, and mutual respect. A greater number of institutions does not necessarily translate into greater achievements," Singh said.
He maintained that new mechanisms within the grouping should address clearly identified needs, avoid duplication and deliver practical benefits to member countries.
Calls for stronger economic cooperation
Turning to the global economic situation, Singh said geopolitical tensions, disruptions to trade and supply chains, concerns over energy and food security, and emerging technological divides had created an uncertain environment.
He called on SCO members to build consensus and translate it into concrete measures to address these challenges.
"There is a need to strengthen resilient supply chains, facilitate trade and investment, and leverage technology to drive development," he said.
Singh reaffirmed India's support for adopting an Action Plan for the Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation Programme for 2026-2030.
He also welcomed decisions taken at the Bishkek Summit to establish the Universal Centre in Tashkent and the Anti-Drug Centre in Dushanbe as permanent institutions of the SCO.
Their success, he said, would depend on effective coordination and timely implementation of assigned tasks.
Connectivity must respect sovereignty
Highlighting the importance of regional connectivity, Singh said India supported projects that connected markets, facilitated trade and created new economic opportunities.
He identified the International North-South Transport Corridor and Chabahar Port as initiatives capable of strengthening Central Asia's access to wider markets.
However, he stressed that connectivity projects must be developed through consultation and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries.
Projects that disregarded these principles would not be sustainable, he warned.
Singh also urged member states to look beyond physical infrastructure by simplifying customs procedures, introducing digital documentation, improving logistics and adopting interoperable digital systems to reduce business costs.
"Our success should be measured by the opportunities we create for youth, new markets we open for our entrepreneurs, technologies we make available to our farmers and small-scale business owners, and the connections we foster among societies," he said.
India highlights digital and climate initiatives
The defence minister also drew attention to India's Digital Public Infrastructure, saying it had transformed public service delivery and expanded financial inclusion.
He highlighted the country's start-up ecosystem and its emphasis on women-led development, saying women played a defining role in shaping economic and social progress.
Singh referred to India's international initiatives, including the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, which support affordable clean energy and climate-resilient development.
He said Mission LiFE encouraged sustainable lifestyles and responsible consumption, while the Global Biofuel Alliance promoted cleaner energy alternatives.
Urging SCO members to build on the grouping's achievements over the past 25 years, Singh called for a forward-looking roadmap based on consensus-driven cooperation and measurable outcomes.
He reaffirmed India's commitment to working with all member states and invited them to participate in the first SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum, which India is scheduled to host later this year.
The meeting reviewed progress in multilateral economic and trade cooperation and discussed ways to strengthen collaboration in transport, finance, the digital economy and social development.
Singh, who was on a two-day official visit to Tajikistan, later described the discussions as cordial.
"The meeting took place in a warm & cordial atmosphere. India reassured the forum of its utmost commitment for regional peace, sustainable development and lasting stability," he wrote on X.