Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also reiterated India’s stand on Afghanistan and the Ukraine crisis

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has urged the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to join forces in the battle against terrorism and put an end to the threat in all of its manifestations.

In his address at the SCO Defence Ministers conference in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on Wednesday, he stated that all acts of terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, perpetrated by anybody and for any reason, are crimes against humanity.

"Terrorism is one of the most serious challenges to global peace and security. India reiterates its resolve to fight all forms of terrorism and make the region peaceful, secure and stable," he pointed out.

Singh added, "We seek to develop joint institutional capabilities with the SCO member states, which, while respecting the sensitivities of each country, create the spirit of cooperation among individuals, societies and nations."

In this regard, the Defence Minister suggested that India conduct a workshop for the defence ministries of SCO Member States in 2023 with the topic "Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief-Risk Mitigation and Disaster Resilient Infrastructure."

Additionally, he proposed that the defence think tanks of the SCO countries have an annual conference on a "topic of interest."

Furthermore, Rajnath Singh reiterated India's position on the Afghanistan crisis, expressing India's unwavering support for a secure, stable, and peaceful Afghanistan while highlighting the need to recognise its territorial integrity, sovereignty, independence, national unity, and non-interference in internal affairs.

He encouraged all parties to support the Afghan government's efforts to achieve national harmony via discussion and conversation and to set up a broadly based, inclusive, and representative democratic system in the nation. In this context, he emphasised the significance of UN Security Council (UNSC) decisions.

He stated that Afghan territory must not be used to attack or frighten any other country. He emphasised the necessity of extending immediate humanitarian aid to the Afghan people and defending their fundamental rights.

He continued by saying that by giving terrorists safe havens, training, and financial backing, Afghan land must not be used to attack or frighten any other nation. He emphasised the need to defend the fundamental rights of the Afghan people and to immediately offer humanitarian aid to them.

Speaking about the Ukraine conflict, Rajnath Singh expressed India's worry over the situation in Ukraine and said that New Delhi supports negotiations between Russia and Ukraine to end this conflict.

He also discussed India's long-standing relationships with the SCO nations, stating that they are all interested in the region's development and prosperity.

Additionally, when New Delhi assumes Uzbekistan's position as the organization's next presidency in 2019, he extended an invitation to all SCO Member States to visit India.