PM Modi to join SCO summit with China and Pakistan leaders amid border standoff

[MenInG]

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Tuesday join the heads of state of China and Pakistan at the virtual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), which is expected to set the agenda for the body for the coming year.

This is the first time that the annual meeting of the SCO heads of state is being held virtually because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Russia, the current chair of SCO, has organised most of the grouping’s meetings virtually this year, except for the meetings of foreign ministers and defence ministers that were held in Moscow in September.

The SCO Summit, being held against the backdrop of the India-China border standoff, is among five virtual meetings this month that will be joined by the top leadership of the two countries.

President Vladimir Putin will chair Tuesday’s virtual meeting and the heads of state of the eight SCO members – Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan – will speak for 10 minutes. The heads of state of four observer countries – Iran, Afghanistan, Belarus and Mongolia – will join the meet, and the SCO secretary general and executive director of the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) will also address the gathering.

The SCO Summit is the grouping’s main body that sets the agenda and main directions for the next year. The meeting is expected to focus on all the main areas of activity, including politics, security, trade and economy, and it will conclude with the adoption of the Moscow Declaration containing the joint position of the members on global and regional issues.

There will also be statements on issues such as digital economy, Covid-19, countering terrorism, including on the internet, and countering drug trafficking. The summit is also expected to make decisions on major projects and trade and economic initiatives.

Modi, who has led the Indian delegation to the annual summit since India became a full member of SCO in 2017, had outlined his vision with the acronym HEALTH – covering healthcare cooperation, economic cooperation, alternative energy, literature and culture, terrorism-free society and humanitarian cooperation – at last year’s summit in Bishkek.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/indi...er-standoff/story-LVoDASvO3HTbTJrFnmcp0I.html

 

[The Viper]

SCO: Important that we move forward with respect for others' sovereignty, territorial integrity, says PM Modi
Issues such as the overcoming the adverse economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic, the rising threat of terrorism among others were discussed in the SCO summit on Tuesday.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meet virtually with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, Russia President Vladimir Putin and other leaders to discuss the ways to recover from the adverse economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the rising threat of terrorism among other issues.

Besides the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the SCO Secretary-General Rashid Alimov, leaders from all eight SCO member states and four observer states attended the conference.

"India has strong cultural and historical ties with SCO countries. India believes that to enhance connectivity it is important that we move forward while respecting one another's sovereignty and territorial integrity," the prime minister said.

Reformed multi-lateralism

"A 'reformed multilateralism' that reflects today's global realities, discussing topics such as expectations of all stakeholders, contemporary challenges, and human welfare. We expect the full support of SCO member nations in this endeavour," he said.

Further, the prime minister said that it was unfortunate that repeated attempts are being made to unnecessarily bring bilateral issues into the SCO agenda.

COVID-19 impact

Talking about the challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, PM Modi said that as the world's largest vaccine-producing country, India will use its capacity to help entire humanity in fighting the crisis. "In this difficult time of the unprecedented epidemic, India's pharma industry sent essential medicines to over 150 nations," he said.

SCO's current membership comprises China, Pakistan, Russia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Iran, Afghanistan, Belarus and Mongolia are observer states. The annual summit of SCO council of heads of state focuses on all the key areas of the activities of the powerful bloc including political, security, trade, economic and cultural.

https://www.timesnownews.com/india/...-updates-pm-modi-xi-jinping-imran-khan/680023

 

[Abdullah719]

PM Imran calls on nations to condemn India’s illegal, unilateral moves during SCO moot

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday called upon other nations to condemn India’s illegal and unilateral actions in occupied Kashmir which can disrupt regional and global peace.

Addressing the 20th Shanghai Cooperation Organization Council of Heads of State via a video link, the premier said Pakistan supports the implementation of UN Security Council resolution to create an “environment of stability and prosperity”.

Russia President Vladimir Putin, who presided the meeting, had extended the invitation to the premier.

On freedom of speech, PM Imran Khan said, “Deliberately insulting religion and religious beliefs provokes hatred, leading to further polarization and fragmentation of humanity.”

The premier maintained that that was wrong to use terrorism related issues as a political tools against a community, race or party.

Referring to the Afghan peace process, Imran once again warned of spoiler to the initiative. “We must also remain mindful of the challenges ahead, especially the role of the spoilers within and outside who do not want peace and stability to return to Afghanistan.”

He reiterated that there is no military solution to the Afghan problem.

Praising China for its support to other countries, including Pakistan, in the fight against the coronavirus, the premier said stage three trials are underway in Pakistan and Islamabad and Beijing cooperate closely.

He also lauded the efforts of the SCO in promoting regional connections and said this was the way forward to peace and prosperity.

Besides the United Nation’s Secretary-General António Guterres and the SCO Secretary-General Rashid Alimov, leaders from all eight SCO member states and four observer states would attend the conference.

The forum is expected to adopt 16 documents including the ‘Moscow Declaration’ reflecting member states’ stance on important regional and international issues.

SCO’s major objectives include promoting mutual confidence and good-neighbourly relations among member states, strengthening regional peace, security and stability, and creating a framework for effective cooperation in political, cultural, trade and economy and other fields.

The platform is an important forum for further enriching deep-rooted historical and cultural links with member states, providing these ties with a sound economic foundation, and promoting Pakistan as a regional trade and transit corridor.

Since becoming a member in 2017, Pakistan had been actively contributing to the promotion of SCO’s multi-sectoral agenda through participation in various SCO mechanisms.

Besides Pakistan, SCO’s current membership comprises China, Russia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

In September it was reported that SCO was getting stronger and gaining larger influence in a fractured region with each passing year. It can become a key forum for regional economic prosperity in the aftermath of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

That was why the next SCO heads of states meeting was deemed crucial for coming up with a new regional policy framework.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/227173...dias-illegal-unilateral-moves-during-sco-moot