4 July 2023, Mumbai: In his address, PM Modi highlighted the threat of terrorism to regional and global peace and stressed the importance of enhanced cooperation within the SCO to combat this menace. He urged the member nations to unite against terrorism in all its forms, emphasizing the need for consistent and unified action without any double standards.
The virtual summit, chaired by India, saw the participation of leaders from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and more. PM Modi also addressed various global challenges, including the food, fuel, and fertilizer crisis, emphasizing the necessity of collective efforts to address these issues.
Regarding the situation in Afghanistan, PM Modi stated that India’s concerns and expectations align with those of most SCO countries. He highlighted the SCO’s significance as a platform for peace, prosperity, and development in the Eurasian region, underscoring India’s long-standing cultural and people-to-people ties with Eurasia.
India, as the chair of SCO, has focused on strengthening cooperation across multiple domains. PM Modi outlined five pillars of cooperation within the SCO, including startup and innovation, traditional medicine, youth empowerment, digital inclusion, and shared Buddhist heritage.
Expressing support for the reform and modernization of the SCO, PM Modi welcomed Iran’s forthcoming membership in the organization. He also acknowledged the signing of the Memorandum of Obligation for Belarus’ SCO membership.
Under India’s presidency, several events aimed at fostering people-to-people connections were organized. India’s association with the SCO began in 2005 as an observer country, and it became a full member state in 2017.
India has demonstrated keen interest in deepening security-related cooperation within the SCO, particularly with its Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS), which focuses on security and defense matters.
The SCO, established in 2001, was founded by the presidents of Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan became full members in 2017, further strengthening the organization’s regional influence and cooperation.
Article by PRITESH PATEL