The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit 2025 in Tianjin, China, witnessed a bold and powerful intervention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who addressed the plenary session on Monday morning. With Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif present in the same room, Modi raised the issue of cross-border terrorism, describing it as the “gravest threat facing humanity” and emphasizing that the world must adopt a policy of zero tolerance against such acts.

Modi’s sharp stance on terrorism

In his address, PM Modi declared that terrorism and extremism are a joint challenge for humanity, stressing that no country or society can truly feel secure until these threats are eliminated. Without directly naming Pakistan, he pointedly criticized nations that openly support or provide shelter to terrorist networks. He warned the global community against the dangers of double standards in dealing with terrorism, asserting that selective approaches would only embolden those who exploit extremism.

“Terrorism and extremism are a joint challenge for humanity. Any country, any society cannot feel safe while these threats exist. There can be no compromise on terrorism. We must condemn it in all forms. Zero tolerance against cross-border terrorism is our duty towards humanity,” Modi said in his remarks.

Reference to Pahalgam terror attack

One of the most significant parts of Modi’s speech was his reference to the April 22, 2025, terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which tragically claimed the lives of 26 people. Modi described the attack as a “very bad face of terrorism” and strongly questioned the global silence on state-backed terrorism.

He asked whether open support for terrorism by some countries could ever be considered acceptable by the world community. This remark was seen as a direct indictment of Pakistan’s long-standing policy of harboring and supporting terror groups operating across the border.

“Can open support for terrorism by some countries ever be acceptable to us? We must make it clear that double standards in dealing with terrorism are not acceptable,” Modi asserted.

Modi’s message to SCO leaders

The plenary session, attended by heads of state and government from across Eurasia, was opened by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who spoke about the growing role of the SCO in maintaining regional stability and fostering multilateral cooperation.

Building on that theme, PM Modi highlighted India’s position as a fast-growing economy and a stable democracy committed to peace, prosperity, and development. He reiterated India’s vision of “Reform, Perform and Transform,” saying that India had turned challenges into opportunities and invited all SCO nations to join India’s growth journey.

“Today, India is moving ahead following the mantra of Reform, Perform and Transform. We have tried to turn every challenge into an opportunity. I invite all of you to be a part of India's development journey,” Modi said.

Global context of Modi’s speech

The SCO Summit is being held at a time of significant geopolitical challenges, including ongoing instability in Afghanistan, tensions in West Asia, and a shifting global economic landscape. Modi’s speech carried weight not only for India’s immediate neighborhood but also for the broader international community, which has long debated the effectiveness of counterterrorism measures.

By explicitly bringing up state-backed terrorism, Modi positioned India as a country that refuses to stay silent on critical security issues. His remarks are consistent with India’s diplomatic strategy of calling out nations that support terror while simultaneously showcasing India’s rise as a responsible global power.

China’s stance and Xi Jinping’s remarks

In his opening address, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the SCO’s role as a stabilizing force in the region. He urged member nations to oppose unilateralism, uphold justice, and strengthen the multilateral trading system. Xi stressed that protecting the role of the United Nations was critical for global peace and stability.

Furthermore, Xi announced that China would implement 100 small-scale development projects across SCO member states, aimed at improving livelihoods and reducing inequality. This was positioned as a gesture to reinforce China’s commitment to shared growth and stability within the SCO framework.

India’s strategic positioning within SCO

India’s participation in the SCO is significant because the organization includes not only China and Russia but also Pakistan and several Central Asian nations. By raising terrorism in such a forum, Modi ensured that India’s security concerns remain at the forefront of multilateral discussions.

His remarks reflected India’s consistent policy of highlighting cross-border terrorism at global platforms, from the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to the BRICS and SCO summits.

This approach resonates with India’s domestic audience as well, reinforcing the government’s stance that it will not shy away from calling out terrorism, even in front of adversarial nations.

Wider diplomatic implications

The strong message delivered by PM Modi at the SCO Summit is likely to reverberate beyond the forum. It underscores the following key diplomatic implications:

1. India’s firmness on terrorism: India made it clear that it will not compromise on terrorism and will continue to push for a global consensus on zero tolerance.

2. Strategic signaling to Pakistan: By raising the Pahalgam attack in Shehbaz Sharif’s presence, Modi sent a strong signal that India will hold Pakistan accountable for state-backed terrorism on international platforms.

3. Positioning India as a global voice: India projected itself not just as a regional player but as a responsible global power advocating peace, security, and sustainable growth.

Conclusion

The SCO Summit 2025 in Tianjin highlighted the growing relevance of the organization in shaping Eurasian geopolitics. However, it was PM Modi’s strong stand on terrorism that stood out, particularly as he directly linked the issue to recent events in Jammu and Kashmir and challenged the international community’s silence on state-backed terrorism.

As Modi emphasized, double standards in dealing with terrorism cannot be accepted. His call for zero tolerance against cross-border terrorism will likely resonate with many nations that face similar threats.

At the same time, Modi’s outreach inviting SCO nations to join India’s development journey reflects a balanced approach: while standing firm on security issues, India continues to position itself as a driver of growth and collaboration.

The message was clear — India seeks peace, but not at the cost of compromising its security. In the shifting dynamics of the global order, India’s voice at platforms like the SCO will continue to grow stronger, reinforcing its role as a key player in regional stability, counterterrorism, and global development partnerships.

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