United Nations. While praising the importance of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), India has drawn attention to the role of Pakistan and China and said that both countries are trying to weaken it. India’s Charge d’Affaires of the United Nations Mission R Ravindra in an address to the Security Council on Friday stressed the need to respect territorial integrity and linked terrorism to Pakistan without naming any country.
He said, “Some countries are using terrorism as a state policy, such an approach is likely to affect cooperation in multilateral forums, including the SCO.” He said, “India has consistently advocated respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity for connectivity and infrastructure projects.” Ravindra was referring to Chinese projects in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
He was speaking at a Security Council meeting convened by Russia. Ravindra said, “India attaches high priority to strengthening trust within the SCO as well as strengthening relations with partners based on equality, respect and mutual understanding.”
He said, “India’s priorities in the SCO are in line with the Prime Minister’s (Narendra Modi) vision of a ‘secure’ SCO. He said that ‘secure’ stands for security, economic cooperation, connectivity, unity, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and environmental protection.”
He said that Security Council resolutions and sanctions against terrorists and their groups should be fully implemented. He said, “The SCO summit held on July 4 in Astana, Kazakhstan, stated in its declaration that the international community should isolate and expose those countries that provide shelter to terrorists and support terrorism.”
Ravindra said, “India shares deep ties with the people of Central Asia.” He said India has offered $1 billion in loan assistance for development projects in these countries. The India-Central Asia Dialogue Forum works to strengthen cooperation between India and Central Asian countries.
He further said that India’s contract to develop Chabahar port in Iran is “a testimony to our commitment towards developing it as a connectivity hub for Afghanistan and Central Asia.”
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershiny, who chaired the meeting, said the SCO, CIS and CSTO have “achieved significant results, including in promoting integration processes, preventing conflicts and combating terrorism”.
He said, “The SCO’s priority is to counter the threats of terrorism, separatism, extremism, drug trafficking and international organized crime, especially those emanating from Afghanistan.”
China’s Permanent Representative Fu Cong also spoke about the dangers of terrorism. He said, “Terrorism, separatism and extremism are major threats to global security.” He said that China wants the United Nations to work with the SCO to “strengthen dialogue and mutual understanding.”
Tags: China, pakistan news, russia
FIRST PUBLISHED : July 20, 2024, 20:54 IST