By Geeta Mohan: The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Leaders’ summit held just about on Tuesday concluded with a joint communique ‘New Delhi Declaration’; together with two separate joint statements, one on ‘cooperation in countering radicalisation resulting in separatism, extremism, terrorism’; and the opposite on ‘digital transformation’.
During the summit, the SCO Heads of State Council accepted the SCO Economic Development Strategy for 2030.
Decisions have been additionally made on finishing the process for admitting the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and granting it the standing of an SCO member state.
The SCO Heads of State Council additionally signed the Memorandum of Obligations of the Republic of Belarus, as a way to acquire the standing of an SCO member state.
Further, in addition they introduced town of Almaty, Kazakhstan, because the SCO Cultural and Tourism Capital in 2023–2024.
INDIA SLAMS PAKISTAN ON TERRORISM
Addressing the leaders on the summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned, “Terrorism has become a major threat to regional and global peace. Dealing with this challenge requires decisive action. Regardless of its form or manifestation, we must unite in our fight against terrorism.”
Making a reference to Pakistan, PM Narendra Modi mentioned, “Some countries use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of their policies and provide shelter to terrorists. SCO should not hesitate to criticise such nations. There should be no place for double standards on such serious matters.”
To PM Modi’s remarks, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif alleged “minority persecution” in India. He additionally mentioned India shouldn’t use terrorism for “diplomatic point scoring”.
Further, in an try to nook India, Sharif mentioned, “There can be no justification for the killing of innocent people, regardless of the cause or pretext. Similarly, religious minorities should never be demonised in the pursuit of domestic political agendas.”
Shehbaz Sharif’s assertion comes at a time when minorities in Pakistan are dealing with extreme persecution, together with pressured conversion, abduction, rape and compelled marriage (of ladies and minor ladies) from minority communities.
WHAT INDIA TOLD CHINA ON CONNECTIVITY
At the digital summit, India additionally slammed China over ‘connectivity’ and respecting the sovereignty of different international locations.
“Strong connectivity is crucial for the progress of any region. Better connectivity not only enhances mutual trade but also fosters mutual trust. However, in these efforts, it is essential to uphold the basic principles of the SCO charter, particularly respecting the sovereignty and regional integrity of the Member States,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned.
All present SCO member nations, barring India and Russia, are a part of China’s BRI (Belt and Road Initiative), which India objects to, since a significant a part of its venture in Pakistan runs by means of the Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), known as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Upon being requested if Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to the BRI venture of China, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra mentioned, “The references to sovereignty and territorial integrity came both in the context of the SCO charter as also in the context of the connectivity projects. In fact, connectivity was one of the key areas of focus in terms of coop among the SCO member states.”
“The PM clearly said that connectivity is good and important but it has to be respectful of concerns related to sovereignty and territorial integrity in which India’s position on connectivity and how it interfaces with BRI, is clear,” he added.
However, overlooking India’s issues, Chinese President Xi Jinping defended BRI and mentioned, “This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by me. China will hold the third ‘Belt and Road’ International Cooperation Summit Forum. All parties are welcome to participate in the activities of the forum and jointly pave the road to happiness that benefits the world.”
Commenting on the CPEC venture, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif mentioned, “The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative, can be a force multiplier not only for regional connectivity but also for regional stability, peace and prosperity.”
China’s focus, nonetheless, was the West, as was that of Russia.
In his opening remarks, Chinese President Xi Jinping mentioned, “We uphold international fairness and justice, oppose hegemonic and bullying practices, expand the “circle of friends” of the organization, and build a partnership of dialogue rather than confrontation and partnership rather than alliance, strengthening the progressive force for maintaining world peace and stability.”
THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR
At the SCO Summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to the continued Russia-Ukraine conflict and mentioned, “For a long time, external forces have been implementing a project near our borders to create from our neighbour, Ukraine, a de facto hostile state. They funnelled weapons into it for eight years, condoned aggression against the peaceful population of Donbass and indulged in every way in planting neo-Nazi ideology.”
“All this was done in order to jeopardise Russia’s security and stifle our country’s development. We are now, in fact, being subjected to a hybrid war, with illegitimate anti-Russian sanctions that are unprecedented in scale. I would like to stress that Russia is confidently resisting and will continue to resist external pressure, sanctions and provocations.”
“We are making wider use of national currencies for mutual settlements. In particular, over 80 percent of commercial transactions between Russia and the People’s Republic of China are made in rubles and yuan. The share of the Russian national currency in export transactions with all the SCO countries exceeded 40 percent in 2022,” Putin mentioned.
STABILITY IN AFGHANISTAN
Prime Minister Narendra Modi additionally spoke of the scenario in Afghanistan and mentioned, “It has directly impacted the security of all of us. India’s concerns and expectations regarding Afghanistan are similar to those of most of the SCO countries. We must come together to strive for the well-being of the people of Afghanistan.”
“Humanitarian assistance to Afghan citizens, the formation of an inclusive government, the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking and ensuring the rights of women, children and minorities are our shared priorities,” the prime minister mentioned.
THE SCO SUMMIT IN A GYST
At the Ministry of External Affairs briefing, spokesperson Arindam Bagchi mentioned, “The Russian president spoke of rumble-yuan exchange. We have also been supporting trading in national currencies.”
In addition, the SCO Heads of State Council accepted the Concept of Cooperation between the SCO Member States to decarbonise transport and promote digital transformation and revolutionary applied sciences to attain higher effectivity and sustainability.
The SCO Heads of State Council additionally adopted choices on the Regulation on the Executive Committee of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure and on the signing of a Memorandum between the SCO Secretariat and the United Nations Environment Programme.
The assembly occurred underneath the chairmanship of Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and noticed the presence of Jinping, President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev; President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov; Pakistan PM, Shehbaz Sharif; President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon and President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
The President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko; President of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi and President of Mongolia, Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh have been invited to take part within the assembly as heads of the SCO observer states.
The President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, was invited because the visitor of the presiding social gathering.
The SCO represents roughly 40 p.c of the world’s inhabitants and practically one-third of the worldwide financial system.
