Addressing the 17th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Kazakhstan capital Astana, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called upon member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation to coordinate their efforts to fight the menace of terrorism which is plaguing the region.
“It is impossible to find a solution until all SCO members make concerted and coordinated efforts to fight the menace of terrorism, including radicalization, recruitment, training and financing of terrorists,” PM Modi said at the summit which was also attended by Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Expressing deep gratitude to all SCO countries for giving India full membership after enjoying 12 years of observer status, PM Modi termed the SCO as a main pillar of peace and security in the regional and the global arena.
The Indian Prime Minister stated that with India and Pakistan’s accession to full member status, the SCO now represented 42 percent of the world population and 20 percent of global GDP. He hailed these aspects as the key to support the SCO’s success.
PM Modi also emphasized that even though India was becoming a full member the SCO, it had historic relations with every SCO member. The Indian Prime Minister highlighted that India had partnerships with SCO countries on energy, education, security, development partnership, agriculture, minerals, capacity building, trade and investment.
PM Modi emphasized that connectivity initiatives are essential to reap the benefits of the projects and it reflects with our decisions of International North-South Transport Corridor, Ashgabat Agreement and the Chabahar deal. The prime minister stated that connectivity will integrate the economies of the SCO members and build trust among the member nations while respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Modi said that the SCO will help in bringing peace in war-torn Afghanistan. The Prime Minister also called for efforts by the SCO to tackle climate change.