India has called for a global stance of "zero tolerance" towards terrorism, emphasizing that there can be no justification or overlooking of this threat. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar made these remarks during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting in Moscow. His statements come in the wake of recent terrorist incidents in India, including a bomb blast in Delhi that killed 15 people.

Jaishankar asserted that the SCO must adapt to the changing global landscape and enhance its agenda to effectively combat terrorism, separatism, and extremism. He stated, "As India has demonstrated, we have the right to defend our people against terrorism and will exercise it." He reminded member states of the founding principles of the SCO, which was established to address these three evils.

The Minister highlighted the need for a unified global response to terrorism, urging member countries to work together. He also pointed out the importance of modernizing the SCO's operations, suggesting the inclusion of English as an official language alongside Russian and Chinese.

In addition to addressing terrorism, Jaishankar discussed the current global economic uncertainties and the necessity for countries to diversify their economic links. He mentioned India's efforts to establish free trade agreements with SCO members as part of this strategy.

Concluding his address, Jaishankar emphasized the significance of cultural exchanges among member states, stating that fostering interactions between artists, intellectuals, and sportspeople can enhance mutual understanding. The SCO, founded in 2001, includes India and Pakistan as permanent members since 2017, with Iran joining recently in July 2023. The meeting in Moscow saw participation from various member states, including China, Russia, and several Central Asian nations.