Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called for a united global approach to combat terrorism, saying the entire ecosystem supporting the menace.
Addressing the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, PM Modi said there should be no double standards in the fight against terrorism and urged SCO members to speak with one voice against the threat.
“We must dismantle the entire ecosystem of terrorism – its financing, recruitment, radicalisation and safe havens,” the Prime Minister said.
“We must speak with one voice that there can be no place for double standards on terrorism,” he added.
PM Modi also reiterated India’s position that conflicts cannot be resolved through military means and emphasised the importance of dialogue and diplomacy.
“There is no solution on the battlefield; all wars and conflicts must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy,” he said.
Outlining India’s vision for the SCO, the Prime Minister identified Security, Connectivity and Opportunity as its three main pillars.
“The three main pillars of India’s vision for the SCO – S – Security; C – Connectivity; and O – Opportunity,” PM Modi said.
On connectivity, he said India supports efforts to connect markets, facilitate trade and create new pathways for development. However, he stressed that such initiatives must respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries.
“India supports all efforts that connect markets, facilitate trade, and open new pathways for development,” he said.
“These efforts for connectivity must respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries,” PM Modi added.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of civilisational and people-to-people ties within the SCO, describing the grouping as a confluence of great civilisations, cultures and ideas.
“For India, the SCO is a confluence of great civilizations, cultures, and ideas,” he said.
PM Modi said the SCO should place people-to-people ties at the centre of its cooperation over the next 25 years. He also highlighted India’s initiatives within the grouping, including the Start-up Forum, Young Authors’ Conclave and Young Scientists’ Forum.
Recalling India’s proposal last year for an SCO Civilizational Dialogue Forum, PM Modi said he was pleased that its first session would be held in India this year.
The SCO currently comprises 10 member states – Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Afghanistan and Mongolia are observer states, while the grouping also has several dialogue partners.
The Prime Minister’s participation in the summit follows several bilateral engagements in Kyrgyzstan. On Monday, he met Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
