Defence Minister says there can be no double standards in combating terror, urges inclusive economic cooperation and resilient supply chains
Dushanbe, October 2026 : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday described terrorism as one of the most serious threats to global peace and development, asserting that it could never be justified and calling for collective action to dismantle the entire ecosystem supporting terrorist activities.
Addressing the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting in Tajikistan’s capital, Dushanbe, Singh stressed that there should be no double standards in dealing with terrorism and that those financing, supporting or providing safe havens to terrorists must be held accountable.
“Terrorism remains one of the most serious threats to peace and development. Terrorism not only harms innocent lives but also disrupts investment and commerce. Terrorism radicalises societies and deprives our youth of the opportunities they deserve,” he said.
Emphasising the need for a coordinated international response, Singh said there could be no justification for terrorism and called for the firm and collective elimination of the networks and support systems that enable it.
The Defence Minister also reiterated India’s vision for the SCO, recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks at the organisation’s summit in Bishkek, where he emphasised three key pillars: security, connectivity and opportunity.
Singh said these priorities were closely interconnected, as security creates conditions for investment, while connectivity facilitates trade and economic cooperation.
He highlighted India’s longstanding friendship and close ties with Central Asian countries, noting that the SCO’s 25th anniversary, marked by its leaders at the Bishkek summit, provided an opportunity to review the organisation’s journey and discuss its future direction.
Referring to Modi’s call for concrete action on security, connectivity and opportunity, Singh said the priorities were particularly relevant to the Council of Heads of Government, which focuses on economic and developmental cooperation among member states.
Singh also expressed India’s support for adopting the Action Plan for the Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation Programme for 2026–2030, underscoring New Delhi’s commitment to strengthening economic engagement within the grouping.
Addressing the global economic situation, the Defence Minister said geopolitical tensions and conflicts were disrupting international trade and supply chains. He identified energy and food security as major concerns for India, while noting that emerging technologies were transforming economies but also creating new divides.
“Today, we are in an uncertain global economic environment. Conflicts and geopolitical tensions are disrupting trade and supply chains. Energy and food security are a matter of concern for us. New technologies are transforming economies while also creating new divides,” he said.
Singh observed that the SCO’s effectiveness would depend on its ability to identify common interests among member countries and translate them into practical action.
He said India favoured an inclusive approach to economic cooperation that would benefit every member nation. This, he added, required efforts to build more resilient supply chains, facilitate trade and investment, and harness technology for development.
The Defence Minister further emphasised that the gains from economic cooperation should reach all sections of society rather than remain concentrated among a limited number of beneficiaries.
His address highlighted India’s priorities within the SCO framework, combining a call for a united response to terrorism with an emphasis on regional security, stronger economic partnerships and sustainable development. Singh’s remarks also reinforced India’s position that cooperation among member states should deliver tangible benefits while addressing shared security and economic challenges.
