Date: 24 Jul 2026
Distinguished Chair, Mr. Jeenbek Kulubayev, the Hon’ble Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Kyrgyz Republic,
Esteemed Ministers from the SCO Member States
Secretary General of the SCO,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
At the outset, I would like to express my gratitude to our Kyrgyz host for the gracious welcome and warm hospitality accorded to our delegation.
2. It is a privilege to be with all of you this morning, in the Heart of Asia, on the shores of the historic Issyk-Kul lake, home to the hardy and courageous Kyrgyz highlanders, and of the legendary author Chingiz Aitmatov
3. The world renowned epic “Manas” was crafted and enacted by the Kyrgyz genius on these very shores. I am happy to share that India’s own “Ramcharit Manas” is redolent with imageries of Kyrgyz “Manas”
Excellencies,
4. India congratulates SCO’s Kyrgyz Chair for an able and efficient leadership in these times of uncertainties and persisting global challenges.
Mr. Chair,
5. In this quarter of a century SCO has earned for itself a distinct identity and respect in the contemporary geopolitical arena. Our approach to SCO continues to be determined by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of Security, Connectivity and Opportunity, that is aimed at fostering stability, growth, regional cooperation, and friendship among our people.
6. As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, this is also an occasion to evaluate and introspect in the rapidly evolving world order. The emergent security challenges, conflicts, food and energy uncertainties, erratic supply chains, extreme climatic-events, and uneven economic recoveries have impacted the global south adversely and disproportionately.
7. India firmly believes that only a reformed multilateralism and meaningful cooperation among the member states can help efficaciously address these contemporary global scenarios.
8. It is incumbent that the SCO remains resolute in promoting an inclusive, representative and multipolar international order based on respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and international law.
Mr. Chair,
9. In this context SCO’s core principles of countering terrorism, extremism, separatism, and trans-national crime gain further salience in guaranteeing regional peace, stability, and mutual trust.
10. I am confident that an affirmative action by SCO in dismantling terror-networks, safe harbours, radicalisation, the web of terror finance and drug-trafficking will result in qualitative enhancements to regional interdependence, cohesion, and gainful exchanges.
11. The condemnation of terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism, must be un-equivocal.
12. It has been imperative that the SCO continues to adopt a principled and consistent approach in combating terrorism and violent extremism for the collective prosperity and well-being of our people.
Excellencies,
13. Marked by the rugged terrain and distinct cultural realms, connectivity continues to be the obvious and yet the most challenging of the tasks for the SCO geography.
14. India continues to support initiatives aimed at trade and transit facilitations. The International North-South Transport Corridor, the Chabahar, and the TAPI projects, together with the trans-national energy grid initiatives, are key to the region’s economic resilience. Respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity, based on the principles of transparency, inclusivity and financial sustainability shall remain integral to such ventures.
Excellencies,
15. India stands ready to strengthen cooperation in the contemporary and emerging technologies such as digital innovation, information and communications, and artificial intelligence.
16. Promoting linkages across academia, start ups, and the innovation ecosystems, will impart further momentum to our shared developmental aspirations. We must continue to leverage the increasing potential of culture, yoga and traditional medicine to further our bonds of friendship, and people to people connect, especially among our youth.
17. Given the deep civilizational heritage of the SCO geography, I am pleased to share that the first SCO Civilizational Dialogue Forum will be organised in India later this year. This has been envisioned to utilise the wisdom, accumulated well over a millennia, for the collective good of our and the future generations. Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji has graciously consented to deliver the keynote address at its inaugural and India looks forward to robust participation from all SCO member states at the Forum.
18. India remains committed to working constructively with all member states for an SCO that is secure, stable, inclusive and responsive to the aspirations of our people.
19. In conclusion, Mr. Chair, I once again express my deep appreciation to the Kyrgyz Chair for hosting today’s meeting. I assure you of India’s full support for the successful conduct of the forthcoming SCO Leadership Summit in Bishkek.
Thank you.
Cholpan Ata
July 24, 2026
