Modi calls for dialogue-based conflict resolution at SCO summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called upon Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states to move away from battlefield approaches to conflict resolution, emphasising instead the importance of dialogue and diplomatic engagement. Addressing the regional bloc, Modi underscored that sustainable peace can only be achieved through negotiated settlements rather than military confrontation.

Modi also urged SCO members to adopt a consistent and principled stance against terrorism, criticising what he described as selective approaches to the issue. The Prime Minister stressed that the regional organisation must present a united front in dismantling the entire ecosystem that sustains terrorist activities, rather than adopting differentiated positions based on geopolitical interests.

The Prime Minister's remarks reflect India's longstanding position on conflict resolution within the region and underscore New Delhi's commitment to multilateral cooperation through the SCO framework. His comments come amid ongoing regional tensions and highlight the need for member states to prioritise collective security challenges over individual strategic considerations.

Modi's intervention at the summit reflects India's emphasis on promoting stability and peace through institutional mechanisms within South and Southeast Asia. The SCO, which includes China, Russia, and Central Asian states alongside India and Pakistan, has been a key platform for addressing transnational security threats including terrorism and extremism.