SCO Summit 2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced India’s regional strategy in three major pillars at the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit: S, C, O-Security (Security), Connectivity (Contact), Opportunity (Opportunity). PM Modi said that this is not just a slogan, but the basic message of India’s broad regional vision and global strategy.

He described security as the cornerstone of development, the medium of confidence and partnership of contact and the opportunity was associated with youth, startups, cultural exchange and economic prosperity. During this time, PM Modi also emphasized challenges like terrorism, separatism and extremism and called for SCO members to remain united against terrorism.

Security: First priority

PM Modi made it clear that the foundation of the development of any country is security, peace and stability. He described terrorism, separatism and extremism as a big challenge in the path of development. The Prime Minister said that no country, society or citizen can be considered safe from terrorism and its open support by some countries is not acceptable. He referred to the Pahalgam attack of 22 April 2025 and described it as a challenge against India’s conscience and a challenge against humanity. India has played an active role against the terrorist network and their funding and in the SCO’s announcement, condemning the attack, demanded to bring the culprits into the dock of justice.

Contact: Based on trust and partnership

With security, PM Modi described the contact as the second important pillar of the regional strategy. He said that contact brings not only business, but also trust and development. Under this, India is promoting projects like Chabahar Port and International North-South Transport Road (Instc). Indicating China’s Belt and Road Project (CPEC), he said that if the contact ignores sovereignty, he loses trust. Modi said that the Instc and Chabahar port connect India to Central Asia, Russia and Europe and reduce dependence on Pakistan.

Trade and investment with China and Russia

India-China trade deficit stood at $ 85.1 billion in 2023-24, most of which is in raw materials and technical equipment. At the same time, India-Russian bilateral trade reached the record $ 68.7 billion in 2024-25. The Instc and other projects are increasing business cooperation between the two countries, while RIC (Russia-India-China) cooperation is still limited in papers.

Opportunity: Correction and Public Relations

The third pillar opportunity aims to not only economic, but to add people and to highlight talent. PM Modi took the initiative of the Civilization Dialogue Forum in SCO, so that art, literature and science can be displayed globally. He emphasized on the inclusion of youth, startups and general public in the development process. New SCO centers were welcomed which would deal with challenges like organized crime, drug smuggling and cyber security.

India’s clear message: for Pakistan, China and Russia

PM Modi’s message was clear for the three countries. For Pakistan, terrorism will not be considered normal. For China that contact projects cannot disregard sovereignty. For Russia, the ISTC project should be maintained, whether there are sessions. The Prime Minister said that there is no compromise in security in India’s strategy, respect and opportunity in contact reached every citizen.

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