Amid the growing threats posed by transnational terrorism, India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, has called on the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to adopt a “zero tolerance” approach toward terrorism. This is not just a timely reminder but a strategic imperative for regional stability and global security. The SCO, comprising major Eurasian powers including China, Russia, and several Central Asian nations, occupies a crucial position in countering extremism and ensuring peace in a region long plagued by militant networks. Terrorism today has evolved beyond conventional battlefields. It is increasingly cross-border, ideologically driven, and often supported through illicit financing, arms, and propaganda networks. Countries in the SCO region, sharing porous borders and complex geopolitical dynamics, are uniquely vulnerable. By advocating for a zero-tolerance policy, Jaishankar underscores the need for a coordinated, multi-layered strategy that combines intelligence sharing, stringent border controls, legal cooperation, and proactive action against terrorist safe havens. India’s call reflects a broader reality: terrorism cannot be combated in isolation. The recent surge in attacks across various SCO member states highlights that militant groups exploit regional differences and gaps in coordination. A collective approach, rooted in mutual trust and shared responsibility, is critical. SCO members must commit to neutralizing not only active threats but also the networks that sustain terrorism – from financing channels to online radicalization. This will require transparent mechanisms for monitoring, reporting, and action that go beyond political rhetoric. Moreover, the zero-tolerance approach aligns with global counter-terrorism standards. International cooperation, underpinned by the United Nations conventions, has shown that terrorism can only be tackled effectively when states prioritize enforcement over politics and ideology. SCO’s adoption of such a policy would strengthen its credibility as a regional security guarantor and send a clear message to extremist organizations that the region is united and vigilant. However, policy declarations must be matched with concrete action. Member states must enhance intelligence collaboration, coordinate law enforcement measures, and ensure that financing, logistics, and safe havens for terrorist groups are systematically dismantled. At the same time, attention must be given to de-radicalization, community engagement, and addressing socio-economic grievances that terrorist groups exploit. In a world where terrorism threatens not just borders but social cohesion and economic development, Jaishankar’s call for zero tolerance is a call for resolve, unity, and accountability. SCO must rise to the occasion, transform rhetoric into action, and demonstrate that terrorism in the Eurasian region will face no sanctuary. The time for measured responses is over; a decisive, unified stand is the only way forward.