Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a dig at Pakistan in his opening remark at the SCO summit on Tuesday. The online summit is joined by member countries including China, Pakistan, Russia, etc. Participating countries will discuss key issues including regional security, economic connectivity and trade. The meeting will also pave way for the inclusion of Iran and open opportunity for Belarus' membership.
The virtual summit is joined by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and other leaders of member countries.
Chinese president Xi Jinping stressed that China would persist in the correct direction of economic globalisation, oppose protectionism, unilateral sanctions and extension of national security concepts. He also said that achieving long-term peace and stability is the common responsibility of the SCO.
SCO Meet: On Tuesday, India reiterated its stance on China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) at the SCO summit. On the other hand, China emphasised on the need to protect “regional peace". (Read full report here)
Indian Delegation participated in the 9th Meeting of the Heads of Border Authorities of the Competent Bodies of the member states of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The delegation was led by the DG of Border Security Force.
After the inclusion of Iran in SCO group, PM Modi proposed the increase in use of Chabahar port for trade and other economic activities.
"The International North-South Transport Corridor can serve as a secure and efficient route for landlocked countries in Central Asia to access the Indian Ocean. We should strive to realize its full potential," the prime minister said. (Read full report here)
During the SCO summit, India made its stance clear against China's Belt and Road Initiative and became the only SCO country to oppose the project.
The leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) aimed to strengthen bonds and enhance collaboration among the growing Eurasian alliance during a summit hosted by India. However, they emphasized that the SCO is not intended to be adversarial towards any other nations.
The leaders collectively expressed their opposition to the adoption of bloc-based, ideological, and confrontational strategies in addressing issues and security challenges. The joint declaration released at the conclusion of the online summit conveyed these key messages.
"We should keep in mind the overall and long-term interests of our region, and make our foreign policies independently. We must be highly vigilant against external attempts to foment a new 'Cold War' or camp-based confrontation in our region," Xi Jinping said
In his first international meeting since the Wagner mutiny, Russian President Vladmir Putin asserted that sanctions imposed by US-led western countries are making Russia stronger. "Russia counters all these external sanctions, pressures and provocations and continues to develop as never before" Putin said.
During the virtual 23rd meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State (CHS), Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance for member countries to prioritize regional peace, common security, and pragmatic cooperation to expedite economic recovery. President Xi also highlighted the significance of upholding multilateralism and enhancing global governance in his address.
"There are a number of factors that go behind the decision in holding a Summit - in this case, the virtual summit. This in no way insinuates the dilution in the objectives that we are trying to seek from the SCO Summit," foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said
"You all would have heard PM Modi's remarks. To briefly capture a sense of it, PM underlined India's contribution to SCO, especially in the last 6 years, as a Member State...highlighted the need to work together to eliminate the menace of terrorism in the region & globally...Fight against terrorism as the basic mandate of SCO still remains a central goal of SCO something that was underlined by the PM and echoed in the room by the other countries," Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asserted that "there must not be any double standards in combating terrorist activities" and the SCO "must not hesitate to criticise countries that support cross-border terrorism as part of state policy".
"Terrorism has become a threat to regional and global peace," PM Modi said while addressing the India-led SCO summit.
"We have to fight together against terrorism that may be in any form and any manifestation," PM Modi added.
Shaghai Cooperation Organisation is seeking to expand its influence and counter Western impact, convened a virtual summit attended by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russia's President Vladimir Putin, China's President Xi Jinping, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and leaders from four central Asian countries.
During the proceedings, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi actively participated as Tehran prepared to become the ninth member of the SCO on Tuesday. Additionally, Belarus is set to sign a memorandum of obligations, paving the way for its future membership in the organization.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday projected confidence and said Russia is ‘united as ever before.’ While speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit virtually Putin said SCO is “playing an increasingly significant role in international affairs, making a real contribution to maintaining peace and stability, ensuring sustainable economic growth of the participating states, and strengthening ties between peoples."
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the urgent need to combat terrorism and extremism in all its forms. He referred to these issues as a "hydra-headed monster," highlighting their complex and multifaceted nature. Sharif stressed that this battle must be waged with utmost determination and belief, regardless of whether acts of terrorism and extremism are perpetrated by individuals, groups, or even at the state level.
“The hydra-headed monster of terrorism and extremism — whether committed by individuals, societies or states — must be fought with full vigour and conviction. Any temptation to use it as a cudgel for diplomatic point-scoring must be avoided under all circumstances," Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said.
“Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including state terrorism, must be condemned in clear and unambiguous terms. There can be no justification for the killing of innocent people regardless of the cause or pretext."
China's President Xi Jinping encouraged the leaders of Russia, Iran, and other member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to strengthen their relationships and resist sanctions. Xi emphasized the importance of safeguarding regional peace and ensuring collective security, urging SCO members to strengthen their unity and solidarity, as reported by state news agency Xinhua.
During the same meeting, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his gratitude to the SCO for their support during a recent uprising that ultimately failed. This rebellion was led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner mercenary group, against the Kremlin. It was Putin's first summit since the mutiny took place, and he took the opportunity to acknowledge the SCO's backing during this challenging time.
SCO Summit live updates: In the ongoing SCO summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, "The Russian people are consolidated as never before."
“Russian political circles and the whole of society clearly demonstrated their unity and elevated sense of responsibility for the fate of the Fatherland when they responded as a united front against an attempted armed mutiny."
While addressing the SCO summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, targeted Pakistan for its active role in terrorism. He called on member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to not hesitate to condemn countries that use cross-border terrorism as 'policy instruments' and shelter terrorists.
"Some countries use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of their policies and give shelter to terrorists," said Prime Minister Modi.
SCO Summit live updates: Kazakhstan's president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposes closer energy cooperation within the SCO organisation. He gave the statement at the virtual meeting of SCO leaders. He said that Kazakhstan was ready to host an SCO energy conference and also proposed developing a joint energy strategy for the organisation over the next year.
During the opening remark of SCO summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised on the need to work together against terrorism for regional and global peace. He also talked about AI-based ‘Bhashini’ and congratulated Iran for joining the group. (Read more)
SCO Summit live updates: Chinese president Xi Jinping said China "will work with SCO to ‘oppose protectionism’, reported AFP citing state media.
I am happy that Iran is going to join SCO family as new member: PM Modi.
At the SCO Summit, PM Narendra Modi says, "We would be delighted to share India's AI-based language platform Bhashini with everyone to remove language barriers within SCO. It can become an example of digital technology and inclusive growth. SCO can become a significant voice for reforms within the UN and other global institutions. I am delighted that Iran is joining the SCO family as a new member..."
SCO Summit latest updates: In May, Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari visited India to attend a key multilateral meeting of the SCO in Goa in person. Notably, he was the first Pakistan foreign minister to visit India since 2011.
As India is set to host SCO Summit, Congress leader Manish Tewari presented questions PM Modi should ask Chinese President Xi Jinping at the meeting today.
“At the #SCO summit today @PMOIndia must ask President Xi Jingping why did China transgress across the LAC in April/ May 2020? Why are they not vacating the areas illegally occupied by them even after 38 months ?" he tweeted on Tuesday.
SCO Summit latest updates: As India will be sharing an international platform with its neighbour Pakistan, there will be special emphasis on getting some tangible outcomes in form of pledges on anti-terrorism measures, trade, financing to fight climate change, fight against drugs trade, food security and money laundering, etc.
SCO Summit latest updates: It is worth noting that this will be Vladimir Putin's first public appearance after its mercenary force, Wagner Army, began its march towards Kremlin to topple the government. The attempt was timely thwarted after Belarus' intermediation.
After India, Kazakhstan will be the next country to hold the presidency of the block.
SCO Summit latest updates: The virtual summit is scheduled to begin at 12:30 pm and conclude at around 3 pm. The meeting is also expected to be joined by President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Iran will join the SCO summit as a new member during the summit, expanding the impact of the grouping to other regions of the world.
SCO Summit latest updates: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation was established in 2001. The SCO is majorly an influential group which comprises of member states like China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
In the wake of Vladimir Putin and Xi are expected to visit New Delhi in September. The two leaders will be in India, as the country will host the G20 summit, for which Biden and leaders of other member nations will also be present.
SCO Summit latest updates: The meeting will be joined by the representatives of all member countries including representatives of two SCO bodies, the secretariat and Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) – and six multilateral organisations. Iran, Belarus and Mongolia have been invited as Observer States. Turkmenistan has also been invited as the guest of the Chair.
Theme of India's SCO presidency is “SECURE". It stands for Security, Economic development, Connectivity, Unity, Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and environmental protection.
In the online summit, leaders will likely discuss security situation in Afghanistan, the Ukraine crisis and ways to boost cooperation between the SCO member states.
SCO Summit latest updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host SCO summit virtually on Tuesday. Notably, this will be for the first time India will be chairing since it became a full-time member of the grouping in 2017