Beijing: Russia, India and China on Monday made a united pitch for bringing to justice “perpetrators and sponsors” of terror acts as they sought an early conclusion of the India-moved resolution to combat international terrorism.
Foreign Ministers of the three countries also agreed to enhance trilateral cooperation, including regional connectivity, during the 13th Russia-India-China (RIC) meeting here.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj represented India at the trilateral that was also attended by her Chinese and Russian counterparts Wang Yi and Sergey Lavrov respectively.
The three countries also called for early conclusion of Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT), a resolution moved by India to address gaps in the international legal framework against terrorism.
India circulated the draft CCIT at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in 1996. The objective of the CCIT is to strengthen cooperation to combat international terrorism.
“Russia-India-China Foreign Ministers agree to enhance trilateral cooperation,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin tweeted.
“Russia-India-China call to bring to justice perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of terrorist acts,” he said in another tweet.
China and Russia also voiced their support to India joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), after completing all necessary processes.
“China-Russia support India joining SCO after completing all necessary processes,” Akbaruddin said.
The SCO, a six-member Eurasian political, economic and military grouping, was founded in 2001 in Shanghai by the leaders of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
India currently holds an observer’s status in the bloc. The countries also welcomed India’s participation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
“Russia-India-China Foreign Ministers acknowledge India’s importance in growth & welcomes Indian participation in APEC,” said Akbaruddin, who is accompanying Swaraj during her four-day maiden visit to the communist nation.
The APEC is a forum for 21 Pacific Rim member economies that seeks to promote free trade and economic cooperation throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
The RIC meeting was earlier scheduled to take place in August last year but Swaraj cancelled her travel which was to take place just ahead of Prime Minister Naremdra Modi’s visit to Japan.