Describing terrorism as a major threat to the humanity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today called upon the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) members to combat this menace without impinging on sovereignty and territorial integrity of any country.
“Terrorism is a major threat to humanity,” PM Modi said while addressing the annual SCO summit in Astana.
The prime minister hoped that India’s entry into the SCO family will give a new momentum to the grouping in dealing with terrorism.
He also spoke on the need for enhancing connectivity in the region and said 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, PM Modi, 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 the Summit to highlight its concerns over the USD 50 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor which is part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the pet project of Xi, and passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
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.
(With PTI inputs)
