India (Commonwealth Union)_ The 23rd summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), held virtually by India, concluded its proceedings following a day-long series of discussions. During his address, Prime Minister Modi urged the SCO to openly criticize those responsible for cross-border terrorism. It was evident that the Prime Minister was alluding to the involvement of Pakistan and its close ally, China. Additionally, Modi emphasized the need for connectivity projects to adhere to the principles of national sovereignty and territorial integrity, which appeared to be directed at China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which includes projects in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Ashok Sajjanhar, a former diplomat and Indian Foreign Service officer who served as the country’s ambassador to Kazakhstan, Latvia, and Sweden, shared his insights into the issue from the perspectives of both Russia and India. This year, India hosted the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit. Under the chairmanship of India, the summit’s theme was SECURE. Prominent leaders in attendance included Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the meeting of the SCO Heads of State. The agenda encompassed topics such as regional security, the conflict in Ukraine, economic prosperity, and counterterrorism.
At the summit, Prime Minister Modi emphasized that terrorism poses a threat to regional and global peace. He called upon SCO member countries to unite in combating this menace. Modi pointed out that certain nations employ cross-border terrorism as a tool for furthering their policies, and urged the SCO to openly criticize such actions. PM Modi also stressed the importance of consistent standards in dealing with terrorism. He also highlighted that India’s concerns and expectations about Afghanistan align with those of most SCO nations. Further, Modi emphasized the need to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a source of instability in neighboring nations or a breeding ground for extremist ideologies.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the significant challenges faced by countries worldwide, such as food and fuel crises, controversies, tensions, and epidemics. He further emphasized the SCO’s emergence over the past two decades as a vital platform for fostering peace, prosperity, and development across the Eurasia region. Further, Modi highlighted India’s sustained efforts to elevate multifaceted cooperation within the SCO during its chairmanship. He outlined the five new pillars of cooperation introduced by India, encompassing Startups and Innovation, Traditional Medicine, Youth Empowerment, Digital Inclusion, and Shared Buddhist Heritage.
According to the PM, to harness the potential of SCO’s youth and provide meaningful opportunities, several new platforms have been established, including the Young Scientist Conclave, Authors Conclave, Startup Forum, and Youth Council. India also expressed its support for proposals aimed at reforming and modernizing the SCO. The 23rd Summit of the SCO Council of Heads of State, chaired by Prime Minister Modi, invited all member states, including China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Additionally, Iran, Belarus, and Mongolia were also invited to act as Observer nations, while Turkmenistan was invited as the guest of the Chair, adhering to SCO tradition. India assumed the rotating Chairmanship of the SCO at the Samarkand Summit in September 2022.
India joined the SCO as an observer nation in 2005 and became a full member in 2017 at the Astana Summit. Over the past six years, India has actively and positively engaged in various SCO operations. Since assuming the SCO chairmanship, India has reached new milestones and strengthened its engagement and interactions worldwide. At the summit, Prime Minister Modi emphasized that India perceives the SCO not merely as an extended neighborhood, but rather as an extended family. He also highlighted the SCO’s success in emerging as a crucial platform for promoting peace, prosperity, and development in the Eurasian region.
