Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China for the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, India has stated that it expects a strong condemnation of cross-border terrorism from the bloc. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, this aligns with the founding principles of the SCO, which was established with the primary goal of countering the “three evils” of terrorism, separatism, and extremism.
A Renewed Focus on Terrorism
Speaking at a media briefing, Secretary (West) in the external affairs ministry, Tanmaya Lal, affirmed that India is actively working with other SCO members to ensure a strong condemnation of terrorism in the final declaration of the summit in Tianjin. While the SCO’s charter does not permit the raising of bilateral issues, India has consistently advocated for a strong stance against terrorism, a point of contention that has led to past disagreements with Pakistan.
Lal also noted that the issue of cross-border terrorism has gained renewed urgency following Operation Sindoor in May, where India targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.
India’s Priorities at the Summit
Beyond security, India’s other priority areas at the SCO summit include trade, economy, and connectivity, as well as respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the environment. PM Modi’s attendance at the summit will also provide an opportunity for crucial bilateral meetings, including with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This will be the second meeting between Modi and Xi since they reached an understanding to de-escalate military tensions on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
The SCO, comprising 10 members including India, China, Russia, and Pakistan, has a permanent body dedicated to this issue, the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), which is headquartered in Tashkent. India has been an active participant in RATS, even chairing the body’s council during 2021-22.