India bats for 'meaningful cooperation' between SCO members to address global challenges
Bishkek, July 24
India on Friday said that it firmly believes that only reformed multilateralism and meaningful cooperation amongst member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation can help efficaciously address various contemporary global challenges.
Addressing the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kyrgyzstan's Cholpon-Ata on Friday, Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said that the rapidly evolving world order and the emergent security challenges such as conflicts, food and energy uncertainties, erratic supply chains, extreme climate events, and uneven economic recoveries have impacted the Global South adversely and disproportionately.
"It is incumbent that the SCO remains resolute in promoting an inclusive, representative, and multipolar international order based on sovereignty, territorial integrity, and international law," he emphasised.
MOS Singh stated that New Delhi remains committed to working constructively with all member states for an SCO that is secure, stable, inclusive, and responsive to the aspirations of people.
"Our approach to SCO continues to be determined by the Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision of security, connectivity, and opportunity that is aimed at fostering stability, growth, regional cooperation, and friendship amongst our people," he remarked at the meeting.
"India firmly believes that only a reformed multilateralism and meaningful cooperation amongst the member states can help efficaciously address these contemporary global scenarios. It is incumbent that the SCO remains resolute in promoting an inclusive, representative, and multipolar international order based on sovereignty, territorial integrity, and international law," he further emphasised.
He also expressed confidence that an affirmative action by the SCO in dismantling terror networks, safe harbours, radicalisation, the web of terror finance and drug trafficking will result in qualitative enhancements to regional interdependence, cohesion, and gainful exchanges.
"The condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism, must be unequivocal. It has been imperative that the SCO continues to adopt a principled and consistent approach in combating terrorism and violent extremism for the collective prosperity and the well-being of its people," MoS Singh stressed.
Singh shared at the meeting that the first SCO Civilizational Dialogue Forum will be organised in India later this year.
"This has been envisioned to utilise the wisdom accumulated over a millennium for the collective good of our and future generations. Our Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has graciously consented to deliver the keynote address at its inaugural, and India looks forward to robust participation from all SCO member states at this forum," he highlighted.
"India remains committed to working constructively with all member states for an SCO that is secure, stable, inclusive, and responsive to the aspirations of our people," he added.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally someone talking sense about terrorism! Cross-border terror has been our biggest headache for decades. But I hope we don't compromise on issues like Ukraine or trade with China just for SCO unity.
Reform is needed indeed, but SCO is dominated by China and Russia. Can India really push its agenda? Still, better to be at the table than outside. Let's see if the Civilizational Dialogue produces anything concrete.
Well said on food and energy uncertainties affecting Global South. SCO needs to be more than a talk shop. Practical cooperation on supply chains and climate resilience would benefit all member states.
Interesting that India is hosting the first Civilizational Dialogue Forum. Could be a smart soft power move. But SCO's effectiveness depends on whether members actually implement what they agree on.
Why is India always playing mediator? Focus on our own problems first - inflation, unemployment, farmers' issues! SCO is just another platform for photo ops. 😤
The PM's vision of security, connectivity, and opportunity is spot on. SCO can be a counterweight to Western dominance if used wisely. But we must stick to our principles on sovereignty and territorial integrity.
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