National desk, 4 July: Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged SCO members to swiftly denounce nations that utilise cross-border terrorism as “policy instruments” and provide safe haven for terrorists on Tuesday, in what seemed to be an attack on Pakistan and China.
“Some countries use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of their policies and give shelter to terrorists,” Prime Minister Modi said adding that the SCO should not hesitate to criticise such countries and “there should be no double standards on terrorism.”
The prime minister spoke via video conference at the 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting. And stated that “Terrorism is a threat to regional and global peace, we will have to fight against terrorism.”
The summit attendees were Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
PM Modi stated, “Terrorism has become the prime danger for both regional as well as global peace, and decisive action is necessary to deal with it. Terrorism in whichever form or expression, we have to collectively fight against it. Some countries use cross-border terrorism as instrument of their policies and harbour terrorists. SCO should not refrain from criticising such nations.”
PM added, “There should not be any place for double-standards on such a serious issue. We should also increase cooperation to deal against terror financing. We should take further steps to stop the radicalisation of youth in our countries. The joint statement being issued on the issue of radicalisation is the proof of our shared commitment”.
At the United Nations last month, China had opposed an effort by the US and India to designate Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Sajid Mir as a global terrorist. Mir is wanted for his alleged role in the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks.
India strongly attacked China for this action because, even 15 years after the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, the masterminds of the crime have not yet been brought to justice.
Meanwhile, PM Modi brought up the situation in Afghanistan in his virtual speech to the presidents of the SCO meeting for the summit, saying that Afghan soil should not be used to harm its neighbours.
According to the prime minister, the SCO’s top priority include establishing an elected administration in Kabul and providing humanitarian help.
PM Modi said, “The situation in Afghanistan has directly affected the security of the region. India’s concerns and aspirations for Afghanistan is at par with other SCO countries. We will have to collectively work for the welfare of the Afghan people. Humanitarian assistance to Afghan citizens, forming an elected and inclusive government, fighting against drug trafficking and terrorism, and ensuring the rights of women, children and minorities- these all are our shared priorities.”
PM added,”India and Afghanistan have age-old ties. Over the last two decades, India has contributed to the economic and social development of Afghanistan. We have continued to send assistance even after the 2021 episode. It is important that the Afghan soil should not be used to spread instability in neighbouring countries or to encourage extremist ideologies”.