New Delhi (NVI): India today called upon SCO Member States to enforce internationally recognized legal statutes to comprehensively eradicate safe havens, infrastructure and financial networks supporting terrorism.
In his virtual address at the 19th session of the SCO Council of Heads of Government, hosted by India, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu said that India condemns terrorism in all its manifestations.
In an indirect reference to Pakistan, the Vice President expressed his concern about States that leverage terrorism as an instrument of State policy.
“We remain concerned about threats emerging from ungoverned spaces and are particularly concerned about States that leverage terrorism as an instrument of state policy. Such an approach is entirely against the spirit and ideals and the Charter of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization,” he said.
Stressing that peace was an essential prerequisite for progress, Naidu said that the most important challenge faced by the region was terrorism, particularly cross-border terrorism. “Terrorism is truly the enemy of humanity. It is a scourge we need to collectively combat”, he added.
“Elimination of this threat will help us realize our shared potential and create conditions for stable and secure economic growth and sustainable development,” he said.
The Vice President also raised the issue of deliberate attempts being made at SCO platform to rake bilateral issues.
“It is unfortunate to note that there have been attempts to deliberately bring bilateral issues into SCO and blatantly violate the well-established principles and norms of SCO Charter safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of SCO Member States. Such acts are counterproductive to the spirit of consensus and cooperation that define the SCO as an organization,” he said.
“India is committed to take our cooperation within SCO to new heights by playing a proactive, positive and constructive role in the organization,” he added.
To recall, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval had walked out of virtual meeting of top security officials of SCO member states in mid-September, after Pakistan deliberately displayed its new political map at the meeting, in blatant disregard to the advisory by the host against it and in violation of the norms of the meeting.
In his virtual address, the Vice President further said India was emerging as an economic force at the global level and the country’s GDP was expected to reach $ 5 trillion by 2025.
To ensure stable economic growth, he said India has launched a new economic strategy: Atmanirbhar Bharat or Self-reliant India. “It prioritizes building the national economic strength, resilience and enhanced capacities to be a trusted partner and a responsible global player”, he added.
Minister of External Affairs, Dr S Jaishankar, Secretary to the Vice President, IV Subbarao, Secretary (West) at MEA, Vikas Swarup and other senior officials from MEA were also present at the virtual summit.
-ARK
