The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) adopted a trade cooperation plan covering 2026 through 2030 on Oct. 20 as India urged members to act against terrorist financing, linking security with investment and commerce.
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh made the appeal in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, where the bloc’s Council of Heads of Government met. He urged governments to confront people and networks that fund, back or shelter terrorists, and called for “no double standards” in the response, India’s Ministry of Defence said.
Singh said terrorism takes lives, disrupts commerce and investment, and limits opportunities for young people. He also identified geopolitical tensions, supply-chain disruption, energy and food security concerns, and technology divides as obstacles to economic cooperation. He described young people, entrepreneurs, farmers and small businesses as intended beneficiaries of closer cooperation.
The council approved the SCO’s 2027 budget and signed decisions covering cooperation in industry and transport, the bloc said. India’s ministry said members adopted the trade and economic cooperation action plan for 2026 through 2030. Delegations also adopted a joint communiqué.
The Council of Heads of Government handles the SCO’s budget and major practical cooperation issues, particularly economic ones. Singh urged members to strengthen supply chains, simplify customs procedures and promote digital documentation. He said transport projects should respect each country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Ishaq Dar also attended, according to the SCO. The ministry’s account of Singh’s remarks did not name Pakistan or any other country as the target of his appeal.
The previous council meeting took place in Moscow on Nov. 18, 2025. The SCO said its next heads-of-government meeting is planned for Uzbekistan in 2027.
