PM
Narendra Modi
’s address to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (
SCO
), the security-oriented Eurasian bloc which held its annual summit in Astana Thursday, was replete with messages to
Pakistan
and China as he sought a decisive response against cross-border terrorism – calling upon all to shun double standards – and backed connectivity linkages that respect
territorial integrity
.
PM Modi did not participate in the summit but, in remarks delivered through foreign minister S Jaishankar who filled in for him, he sought to allay apprehensions about India’s commitment to the group saying in a world moving inexorably towards real multipolarity, the SCO will only become more important and that it occupies a prominent place in India’s foreign policy. However, he added its true value would depend on how well the member-states cooperate amongst themselves.
Without naming Pakistan, the PM called for action to isolate and expose countries that harbour terrorists, provide safe havens and condone terrorism. “Cross-border terrorism requires a decisive response and terrorism financing and recruitment must be resolutely countered. We should also take proactive steps to prevent the spread of radicalization among our youth,’’ he said, adding if left unaddressed,
cross-border
terrorism can become a major threat to regional and global peace.
Significantly, while strongly condemning terrorism, SCO’s joint statement called upon the international community to seek consensus on the adoption within the UN of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) as an “important contribution to the existing base of universal international counter-terrorism instruments”. CCIT was first proposed by India to UNGA in 1996 but it couldn’t be adopted because of differences over the definition of terrorism.
Addressing the participating leaders, including Chinese President
Xi Jinping
and Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif, PM Modi said terrorism ranks foremost for many member-states as it continues to be used by nations as a tool of destabilization. Reminding the Organisation that combating terrorism was one of its original goals, Modi said that the SCO must never waver in its commitment. “We cannot have double standards in this regard,’’ he said, in remarks aimed at China, which has blocked UN ban on Pakistan based operatives of proscribed terror groups.
In another message to China and Pakistan, he reiterated India’s position that connectivity and infrastructure projects must not undermine sovereignty and territorial integrity. India remains the only SCO member-state to not endorse China’s BRI because its “flagship’’ project CPEC passes through Gilgit-Baltistan in PoK. India was also the only member-state to not endorse the SCO Economic Development Strategy 2030 announced last year.
PM Modi said connectivity linkages must be respectful of sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and be built on the foundation of non-discriminatory trade and transit rights to neighbours. Pakistan continues to deny India land access to Afghanistan and Central Asia. Modi mentioned the progress made on Chabahar port recently in the form of a long-term agreement between India and Iran, saying it not only holds great value for landlocked Central Asian states but also de-risks commerce between India and Eurasia.
The PM said that SCO is a principle-based organization, whose consensus drives the approach of its member states. “At this time, it is particularly noteworthy that we are reiterating mutual respect for sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, equality, mutual benefit, non-interference in internal affairs, non-use of force or threat of use of force as a basis for our foreign policies. We have also agreed not to take any measures contrary to the principles of state sovereignty and territorial integrity,’’ he said, while expressing hope for a consensus in the group on the need for reform of the current global order, including the UNSC.
