Indian Council of World Affairs

Ambassador Ms. Nutan Kapoor Mahawar, Acting Director General, and Additional Secretary, Indian Council of World Affairs, 

Mr. Oleg Kopylov, Deputy Secretary General, SCO,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen !

It is a privilege to address this important Forum here today. As you are aware, the SCO has emerged as a key regional organisation in the Eurasian space in the past two decades of its existence. With its Member States accounting for nearly a quarter of the world’s GDP and comprising almost half the world’s population, the SCO has immense potential to shape the economic, political, and security landscape of the region.

2.  The vast geography and shared economic aspirations of SCO members offer an ideal platform for building long-term trade, investment, and connectivity linkages. However, there remain serious impediments to realizing this vision. Terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, violent extremism, and separatism continue to threaten regional peace and hinder cooperation. These scourges not only destabilize our societies but also obstruct genuine cooperation.

3.  Today, the world is witnessing unprecedented global turmoil. International conflicts continue to unfold, with wide-ranging consequences on global stability and economic recovery. We are also facing a series of disruptions—ranging from extreme climate events to supply chain disruptions and growing financial volatility—that are slowing down growth and development across regions. Sovereign debt distress is another serious concern, even as the world struggles to meet the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

4.  We must acknowledge, without hesitation, that some countries have made terrorism a tool of state policy, in blatant violation of international norms and laws. These actors sponsor, harbor, and promote terrorism as a means of destabilizing their neighbors. The barbaric terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025 where innocent civilians were mercilessly killed in front of their families and children solely on the basis of their faith, shocked the global conscience. Such heinous acts must be unequivocally condemned. It is incumbent upon all SCO members to call out such brutality and ensure that terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations, is completely eradicated from our region.

5.  The theme of today’s forum—"SECURE SCO: Leading Towards a Transformed Region in the Spirit of 'The World is One Family'"—is both timely and forward-looking. SECURE is an acronym which stands for Security. Economic development, Connecitivity, Unity, Respect for Sovereignty and territorial integrity, and Environmental Protection. It reflects the ancient wisdom of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—a vision where unity transcends narrow interests and national rivalries. By rising above the mindset of destabilizing neighbours and instead focusing on genuine partnerships that respect sovereignty and territorial integrity, our SCO family can be a beacon of peace and development in an increasingly fragmented world.

6.  We must work together to promote Startups, Digital Public Infrastructure, traditional medicines, Yoga, digital inclusion, Lifestyle for Environment and clean energy transitions—initiatives that empower our citizens and reinforce our shared goals. By strengthening institutions within the SCO and encouraging dialogue among civil society, business leaders, and academia, we can build mutual trust and resilience against common threats.

Ladies and gentlemen,

7.  It is evident that the global order must evolve to reflect the realities of today. Global institutions should be more representative, transparent, and responsive. The case for reformed multilateralism grows stronger by the day. A comprehensive reform of the United Nations Security Council, both in its permanent and non-permanent membership categories, is essential to ensure equity, legitimacy, and effectiveness in global decision-making.

8.  Another important issue for discussion is the status of the English language within the SCO. As the organization has expanded to 10 full members with diverse linguistic backgrounds, elevating English to the status of an official language would significantly enhance communication, transparency, reach and cooperation among members. It would also raise the global profile of the SCO and facilitate greater engagement with international partners.

9.  In conclusion, let us use this platform to create a SECURE SCO—one that reflects the aspirations of our people and the spirit of unity.

10.  With this brief remarks, I congratulate and felicitate ICWA and all Forum participants for this timely and meaningful dialogue. I wish our guests a pleasant stay in India, and I hope that your discussions will contribute meaningfully to building a stronger and more SECURE SCO.

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