Harbouring terrorists must be strongly condemned: PM Modi at SCO Summit
| 2024-07-04
Leaders of SCO member states at the summit in Astana on July 4
Cross-border terrorism requires a decisive response and terrorism financing and recruitment must be effectively countered, PM Modi said
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday reminded the SCO Council of Heads of States summit in Astana, Kazakhstan that terrorism continues to be a tool of “destabilization” for some countries.
“We have had our own experiences with cross-border terrorism. Let us be clear that terrorism in any form or manifestation cannot be justified or condoned. Harbouring terrorists must be strongly condemned. Cross-border terrorism requires a decisive response and terrorism financing and recruitment must be effectively countered. The SCO must never waver in its commitment. We cannot have double standards in this regard,” PM Modi said in his speech which was delivered by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at the extended format Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of States.
The Prime Minister who skipped the SCO summit as the dates of the meeting of the organisation clashed with that of the first session of Parliament, was unequivocal in his stand on terrorism.
Earlier in his remarks, delivered by EAM Jaishankar, at the SCO summit, PM Modi called on member states to give priority to combating terrorism as it is one of the “original goals of the SCO.”
“Many of us have had our experiences, often originating beyond our borders. Let us be clear that if left unchecked, it can become a major threat to regional and global peace. Terrorism in any form or manifestation cannot be justified or condoned. International community must isolate and expose those 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,” PM Modi said.
PM Modi called for taking proactive steps to prevent the spread of radicalization among youth. “The Joint Statement issued during India’s Presidency last year on this subject underlines our shared commitment,” he said.
PM Modi also pointed out issues related to sovereignty and territorial integrity. He said the SCO is a principle-based organisation, whose consensus drives the approach of its member states.
“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,” PM Modi said.
In his speech, PM Modi also laid focus on connectivity. He maintained that though economic development required robust connectivity, this should pave the way for cooperation and trust between countries. “Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity is essential for connectivity and infrastructure projects. So too are non-discriminatory trade rights and transit regimes. The SCO needs to deliberate seriously on these aspects,” PM Modi said.
PM Modi’s speech was delivered in the presence of SCO heads of state, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
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