Photo Credit: ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at the SCO Summit hosted by India, emphasized the threat of terrorism to regional and global peace. Without explicitly naming any nation, Modi criticized the practice of some countries using cross-border terrorism to further their political agendas and providing safe haven to terrorists. He urged SCO countries to unite in condemning such actions, stressing the importance of consistency in tackling terrorism.
Modi described the SCO as not just an extended neighborhood but an extended family, highlighting security, economic development, connectivity, unity, respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and environmental protection as fundamental to India’s vision for the organization.
The virtual summit, attended by leaders including China’s President Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin, also discussed expanding SCO influence by considering Iran’s inclusion and potentially welcoming Belarus as a member.
Touching on the Afghanistan situation, Modi underscored its direct impact on regional security, echoing India’s shared concerns with other SCO members. He emphasized the need for collective efforts to ensure Afghanistan does not become a source of instability or a haven for extremism that threatens neighboring nations.
Established in 2001, the SCO originally formed by China and Russia with Central Asian states, later joined by India and Pakistan, aims to enhance political and security cooperation in Eurasia and counterbalance Western influence.