Johnson Cherian.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday strongly pitched for coordinated efforts among the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) members to combat the menace of terrorism and enhance connectivity without impinging on sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In his address to the SCO summit in the Kazakh capital of Astana, Mr. Modi hoped that India’s entry into the SCO family would give a new momentum to the grouping in dealing with terrorism.
“Terrorism is a major threat to humanity,” Mr. Modi said, adding that there was need for coordinated efforts to defeat terrorism and radicalisation.
The Prime Minister spoke of need to enhance connectivity in the region. It was the key for boosting trade and investment. “We have extensive cooperation with SCO nations. We want to deepen the focus on connectivity,” he said.
However, the Prime Minister, speaking in the presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, among others, asserted that sovereignty and territorial integrity should be the key factors in such a cooperation.
His remarks assume significance as they come weeks after India boycotted the high-profile Belt and Road Forum held in Beijing in which 29 world leaders took part.
India abstained from that summit to highlight its concerns over the $50 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a pet project of Mr. Xi, that passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Mr. Modi said the SCO would help in bringing peace in the war-torn Afghanistan.
The Prime Minister also called for efforts by the SCO to tackle climate change.
