PM Modi Highlights Terror Fight, Strengthens Ties at SCO Summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of State Council Summit in Tianjin, China, on Sunday, where he underlined India’s commitment to combating terrorism, strengthening regional partnerships, and ensuring peace along its borders.
In his opening remarks, PM Modi said that India has “taken the lead in the global fight against terrorism,” a stance that has shaped its regional and international policies. He noted that relations with China have “moved in a meaningful direction,” adding that a peaceful environment has been established along the borders following the disengagement.
During a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, both leaders agreed to work toward resolving their long-standing border issues and to expand cooperation in economic and security matters. President Xi expressed hope that the Tianjin meeting would “further elevate” and promote “healthy and stable development of bilateral relations.” This marks Modi’s first visit to China since the deadly border clashes in 2020 that strained ties between the two neighbors.
On the sidelines of the Summit, PM Modi also met Russian President Vladimir Putin. The meeting came at a time when India’s ties with Moscow have been closely watched, especially after the United States imposed heavy tariffs on Indian goods to penalize New Delhi for continuing its energy purchases from Russia. Despite these external pressures, Modi and Putin reaffirmed the importance of their longstanding strategic partnership.
Another significant engagement was with Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu. Modi stated that India’s developmental cooperation with the Maldives is not only strengthening bilateral ties but is also directly benefiting the people of both countries. This meeting emphasized India’s continued role in the Indian Ocean region.
Addressing the SCO plenary session, PM Modi recalled India’s presidency of the SCO in 2023, highlighting key initiatives introduced by New Delhi, including youth empowerment, digital inclusion, and the promotion of Buddhist heritage. He noted that India’s efforts were aimed at taking the SCO “beyond governments” to improve the lives of common people and encourage startups across member nations.
The SCO, founded in 2001 by China, is a regional political, economic, and security organization that includes India, China, Russia, Pakistan, and several Central Asian countries. India’s active participation reflects its growing role in shaping the regional order and promoting multilateral cooperation.
