In Bishkek on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held discussions with Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith on the sidelines of the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, focusing on enhancing bilateral relations.
Sharing his interaction on X, PM Modi said, "Met Mr. Thongloun Sisoulith, President of Lao PDR on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Bishkek. Had a great conversation on boosting bilateral linkages between our nations."
The Prime Minister also engaged with Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon, expressing India's eagerness to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors with Tajikistan.
PM Modi posted on X, "Great conversation with Mr. Emomali Rahmon, the President of Tajikistan. India looks forward to boosting cooperation with Tajikistan across diverse sectors."
Earlier, PM Modi took part in the 26th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO in Bishkek, where he reaffirmed India's commitment to resolving conflicts through dialogue rather than war.
He stated, "In today's interconnected world, the scope of security has expanded even further. The crisis in West Asia has shown that conflict in one region is not confined to that region. It impacts the entire world's energy security, maritime trade, and supply chains. Countries in the Global South bear the brunt of this. Therefore, India has been calling for the resolution of all tensions and wars through dialogue and diplomacy, not on the battlefield."
PM Modi also underscored that terrorism remains a significant threat, urging the dismantling of its entire support network including financing, recruitment, radicalisation, and safe havens.
He said, "Terrorism continues to pose a serious challenge to humanity. In our fight against it, we cannot limit ourselves to a mindset of action and reaction. We must dismantle the entire ecosystem of terrorist financing, recruitment, radicalisation, and safe havens."
Emphasising unity, the Prime Minister declared, "We must speak with one voice that there can be no room for double standards on this serious issue. Those countries which make terrorism a tool of their policy, provide shelter and support to terrorists, will have to be given a strong message that terrorism cannot be a strategic asset for anyone."
He drew attention to drug trafficking as a severe threat to youth and regional stability, welcoming the establishment of SCO centres targeting security threats, organised crime, information security, and narcotics as a "positive step."
PM Modi called for these centres to be made effective instruments of practical coordination and timely action to address these challenges.
