Jaishankar Calls for Zero-Tolerance on Terror at SCO Meet, Reaffirms India’s Right to Defend Its Citizens

Moscow, November 18, 2025 — External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delivered a forceful message at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting on Tuesday, asserting that terrorism cannot be justified, ignored or whitewashed in any form. He stressed that India retains the sovereign right to protect its citizens from such threats.

Speaking in Moscow, Jaishankar reminded member states that the SCO was created to counter terrorism, separatism and extremism, and said these challenges have grown more severe over time. He urged nations to adopt an uncompromising stance against terror networks and their supporters.

He said the global community must show “zero tolerance” toward terrorism, adding that India has consistently demonstrated its ability and willingness to safeguard its people. His statement comes amid renewed concern following two recent terror incidents — the April 22 attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam region, which killed 26 civilians, and the November 10 car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort that left 15 dead.

Jaishankar pressed for unity within the SCO on counterterrorism efforts and highlighted the need to modernise and reform the 24-year-old organisation. He argued that the SCO must become more flexible and responsive to contemporary geopolitical realities. Among the reforms he pushed for was the long-pending proposal to include English as an official working language, alongside Russian and Chinese.

The minister also underscored India’s contributions to the SCO’s developmental agenda, noting initiatives such as the Special Working Group on Startups and Innovation and the SCO Startup Forum. These platforms, he said, aim to encourage creativity and empower young entrepreneurs across member nations.

He concluded by emphasising that the SCO must broaden its agenda and upgrade its working methods to remain relevant in a rapidly changing world. India, he assured, will continue to play a constructive and proactive role in achieving these goals.

The meeting, held on November 17–18, brought together representatives from all 10 SCO member states, including Russia, China, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Belarus and India. India joined the SCO as a full member in 2017 after serving as an Observer since 2005 and has previously chaired both the Heads of Government and Heads of State councils.