Bishkek, Sept 1: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called on the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to work together to dismantle the entire ecosystem of terrorism and its financing, stressing that there should be no double standards in tackling the menace.
Addressing the annual SCO summit in Bishkek, Modi said wars and conflicts cannot be resolved on the battlefield and must instead be settled through dialogue and diplomacy.
He also emphasised that connectivity initiatives should respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, in a veiled reference to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Modi said India supports efforts to connect markets, facilitate trade and create new avenues for development, while underlining that such initiatives must adhere to principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Highlighting India’s vision for the SCO, the Prime Minister said the organisation represents a confluence of great civilisations, cultures and ideas. He identified security, connectivity and opportunity as the three key pillars of India’s approach towards the grouping.
