Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China, on Monday. In his speech, he described terrorism as the “gravest concern” facing humanity today and urged all nations to stand united against it. He also cautioned against double standards in tackling the menace.

Reference to Pahalgam terror attack

Referring to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 people, Modi asked, “Can open support for terrorism by some countries ever be acceptable to us?”

He added, “The Pahalgam terror attack was not just an attack on India’s soul but an open challenge to all those countries that have faith in humanity. It raises a serious question – should a country openly supporting terrorism be acceptable to any of us?”

Call for zero tolerance

With Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif present in the hall, Modi stressed that there could be no room for selective approaches. “We must state clearly that no double standards will be tolerated in the fight against terrorism,” he declared. He urged SCO members to adopt zero tolerance towards terrorism and extremism, calling them common threats that endanger every society.

Modi said, “Terrorism and extremism are a joint challenge for humanity. Any country, any society cannot feel safe while these threats exist. Security is every country’s right.”

Sharing my remarks during the SCO Summit in Tianjin. https://t.co/nfrigReW8M

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 1, 2025

India’s role in global fight

The Prime Minister highlighted India’s contribution in countering terror outfits. “India has taken the lead in the fight against terror outfits like Al-Qaeda and its associates, and we oppose any kind of terror-financing,” he said.

Speaking again about the Pahalgam attack, Modi noted the human cost of terrorism. “We saw a very bad face of terrorism in Pahalgam. I thank all the friendly nations who stood with us. We have lost our children, and many have become orphans. India has been facing the scourge of terrorism for the past four decades,” he said.

Push against radicalisation

Calling terror financing a “big concern,” Modi urged the SCO to intensify efforts to stop radicalisation. He underlined that there could be no compromise on the issue. “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,” he said.

SCO Summit in Tianjin

Before the speeches began, Modi joined other SCO leaders for a day-long discussion on the bloc’s future agenda. Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed the delegations, while the summit formally opened on Sunday night with a banquet hosted by Xi. Prime Minister Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin were among the dignitaries at the event.

This 25th SCO Summit is considered the largest in the group’s history. China, as the current chair, invited 20 foreign leaders and 10 heads of international organisations, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, to attend the SCO Plus meeting.