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Belarus set to become full member of SCO by 2024

Speaking further about the bloc, the envoy also believed that it is one of the tools that will help countries to not only follow the rules made by the Western countries…reports Asian Lite News

Belarus which is set to become a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) by 2024 says that it relies on the cooperation within the organization from the member states and that it had the same vision in developing the organization even while being an observer.

The Belarusian envoy to India Andrei Rzheussky stressed how powerful and promising the Bloc is and how it will help to unite the developing nations.

“India hosted this summit virtually on July 4. Our President also participated in this summit and during the summit, a memorandum of commitment was signed by all member states. We are in the process of our Parliament adopting all treaties which is necessary for becoming a full-fledged member of the SCO. As our President said, we hope to become a member of SCO shortly,” said the Envoy.

“As our president mentioned that we hope that very shortly, we will become a full-fledged member of this organization because we rely on a huge cooperation in this organization. And we have some vision, of how to develop this organization, even when we were in different capacities like observers or partners. We also participated in this activity and proposed a lot of projects, which were adopted and unanimously greeted by member states”, he added.

New Delhi, July 04 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi at SCO Summit via video conferencing, in New Delhi on Tuesday. Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iran President Ebrahim Raisi and others also seen. (ANI Photo)

Earlier in July, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the SCO Summit virtually where he said that Iran is going to join as a new member of the organization. He also welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Obligation for the SCO membership of Belarus.

“I am happy that today Iran is going to join the SCO family as a new member. For this, I convey my best wishes to President Ebrahim Raisi and the people of Iran. Also, we welcome the signing of the memorandum of obligation for Belarus’ SCO membership,” PM Modi said at the summit then.

Speaking further about the bloc, the envoy also believed that it is one of the tools that will help countries to not only follow the rules made by the Western countries.

“I can just quote our President saying that SCO is a very powerful and very promising organization and it will help to unite the developing nations which can make something different. It’s one of the tools which can help countries to not only follow the rules of Western countries”, said the envoy.

Currently, SCO has Russia, India, China, Pakistan and four Central Asian countries – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as its members. Iran joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation at its 23rd leaders’ summit, hosted virtually by India as chairman of the grouping.

The SCO has mainly focused its fight against regional security issues, regional terrorism, ethnic separatism and religious extremism. To date, the SCO’s priorities have also included regional development.

The last meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. India took over the rotating presidency of the SCO at the Samarkand SCO Summit in 2022. (ANI)

ALSO READ-In G-20 and SCO, PM Modi navigates turbulence in 2023

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End terror, war and poverty: Modi’s call to SCO

In both the SCO and the G20, Prime Minister Modi has made certain that India would play with a straight bat, and be fair and respectful of the rights of all, writes Prof. Madhav Das Nalapat

When opinions were informally sought about whether the 2023 SCO Summit chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be held in physical or virtual format, the loudest voice in favour of the latter came from Beijing. Soundings in that capital indicate that the Chinese side had been working behind the scenes to persuade members to opt for the virtual format, as this was seen as being less attention-grabbing by world media than physical attendance by the leaders at the summit meeting.

New Delhi has shown itself capable of hosting summit-level meetings with ease and precision, and the switch to a virtual format did nothing to reduce the significance of the 2023 SCO Summit. Attention was centred on Russian President Vladimir Putin as to whether the leader who was now under siege from NATO would please the Chinese side by offering only a perfunctory “Thank You” to the Summit host, PM Modi.

Instead, in the presence of Xi Jinping, who seemed less than comfortable at the warmth of Putin’s remarks, the Russian President was straightforward and indeed effusive in expressing his appreciation for the way in which 2023 SCO Chairperson Modi had ensured that the organisation was bequeathed a novel and comprehensive agenda focused not just on members of the SCO but very substantially the Global South as well, a zone whose interests have been championed from the start of his tenure by SCO Chairperson Modi.

More than the visible, especially formal, diplomacy, what needs to be watched in the context of deciphering the intentions of the CCP leadership helmed by General Secretary Xi are the off-the-record, informal views expressed by Chinese diplomats to “friendly” foreign counterparts in non-western capitals.

Soundings indicate that the primary (albeit private) message disseminated by Beijing within the membership of key players within the Global South was that India had joined Japan, Germany and the UK in lockstep “following the US line on policy”, diplomatese about commitment to multilateralism notwithstanding. There was particular angst in an important SCO capital at the red carpet welcome given to PM Modi during his recent State Visit to the US.

A particular object of concern was the agreements on technology and defence cooperation signed during the visit. The worry in Beijing and Moscow was that such an event marked the start of substantial collaboration between the US and India in the joint development and production of technology platforms, including those pertaining to the military. After the visit, the informal messaging from Beijing was that India had surrendered the freedom of action it had during the Good Old Days (although not usually for India) of Non-Alignment, and that Delhi was now following cues from Washington in the way that London, Tokyo and Berlin were doing.

INDIA RETAINS FREEDOM OF ACTION

India, while certainly a partner of the US, especially in matters relating to the Indo-Pacific, nevertheless retains freedom of action. This was made clear at Prime Minister Modi’s speech at the SCO Summit. It was clear in the warmth of the support shown by Modi to the entry of Iran into the SCO, alongside his consistent support for that country’s membership in the SCO from the start of discussions about including Tehran within the SCO. The welcome by PM Modi to President Ibrahim Raisi showed that the diplomats of a particular member of the SCO who were privately deriding India as a “camp follower” of the US were either being economical with the truth, or they had misread India in this matter just as the CCP had in so many other ways in the past. Such misreading of signals from India in Beijing multiplied after 2014, when a transformation got initiated in both foreign and domestic policy with the swearing-in Narendra Modi as Prime Minister.

While both Xi and Putin used the SCO Summit to launch open or veiled broadsides against the US, such as Xi’s reference to “colour revolutions”, Prime Minister Modi remained focused on the collective SCO mandate of improving relations within the group so as to better promote the objective of economic growth and a clean environment. He refused to join in efforts at converting the SCO into an anti-Western grouping. The Chairperson’s moderate approach privately found favour with the Central Asian members of the group, who are unhappy at pressure exerted on them to distance themselves from the Atlantic Alliance.

The presence of India in the SCO has ensured that efforts at tethering the group to Beijing’s side in the era of Cold War 2.0 has not succeeded. In much the same way, the presence of India as 2023 Chair of the G20 has ensured the prevention of the efforts being made by some NATO member-countries to return the globe to the era of Cold War 1.0. In both the SCO as well as the G20, Prime Minister Modi made certain that India would play with a straight bat, and be fair and respectful of the rights of all. Such courtesy was extended even to those countries that were hostile to the success of the world’s most populous democracy.

The continuing influence of Cold War 1.0 warriors within the US and its transcontinental allies has resulted in NATO ignoring the reality of the US-USSR Cold War having been superseded by Cold War 2.0 (in which China has replaced Russia as the principal protagonist). The obsession by Cold War 1.0 warriors with Russia has resulted in a reversion of Atlanticist attention back towards issues relating solely to Europe, thereby losing sight of the need for reconfiguring resources and strategy to counter a country that poses a challenge entirely different from that which was faced by the western democracies during the 1945-91 Cold War 1.0 era. The war in Ukraine has been a boon to China, which to its benefit is witnessing both NATO and Russia slugging it out in a quagmire that is causing economic and other human distress worldwide.

A weakened Moscow will be much more susceptible to guidance from Beijing than a strong Russia. An example of the way in which Russia’s freedom of action has been curtailed by its “no limits” partner in Asia is the manner in which the Kremlin asked India to use (of all currencies) the Chinese RMB in the payments made for Russian oil. In contrast, more than 80% of the (much larger) petroproduct trade between Russia and China is either in RMB or in Russian roubles. Had the same yardstick been allowed to have been used in the case of India and a rupee-rouble trade established, Russia could have used the Indian rupees it would thereby accumulate to set up refineries and other manufacturing plants in India that would have enabled Russia to significantly expand its overseas trade.

Such an outcome would have come about even if only 50% (rather than the 80% RMB-rouble trade between China and Russia) of Indo-Russian trade was in rupees and roubles. Of course, such an economic windfall to Russia and India would not be to the liking of Beijing, which has emerged as the Tertius Gaudens (Golden Third Party) in the NATO-Russia slugfest. From the start of the conflict, Prime Minister Modi has called for an immediate end to the Russia-Ukraine war, an eventuality towards which India with its nuanced diplomacy has the capability to play a catalytic role. The circumstances for such diplomacy will arise once the Cold War 1.0 warriors in Washington, Berlin and London are shown to be as unmindful of current threats as their counterparts were throughout the 1930s in Europe.

An immediate ceasefire between both sides and the setting up of a Line of Control separating the two can resolve the conflict, but that is possible only after Cold War 1.0 believers are stopped from the impossible task of seeking the return to control by Kiev of all the territory lost to it since 2014. Prime Minister Modi drew pointed attention at the 4 July Summit at the grievous damage being caused to the global economy as a consequence of the prolongation of the Russia-Ukraine war. The rift between the pair within the SCO who back extremism and the rest who oppose it, was diplomatically conveyed by Chairperson Modi at the Summit, as for instance when he said that India stands with “most” members on Afghanistan. It was clear which pair he was referring to when he pointedly used the word “most SCO countries”, while mentioning what India’s stand on that tortured country was.

END TO UKRAINE CONFLICT NEEDED

In September, should the key G20 members come to Delhi for the summit chaired by Prime Minister Modi, a start could be made in private meetings in Delhi towards a realistic resolution of the present conflict that leaves both Ukraine and Russia without securing their maximalist demands, but ends a war that carries the constant risk of careening out of control. Given his close and separate relationship with both Biden and Putin, it could be Modi who may finally succeed in ending the Russia-Ukraine war and thereby returning Europe to its peacetime past. Clean growth, peacebuilding and establishing a Zero Tolerance stance towards terrorism were among the key points stressed by 2023 SCO Chairperson Modi.

The Central Asian republics in particular are each battling extremist elements, the removal of which is sought both by Russia and India. In contrast, China has long been following a policy of giving substantial support to the Pakistan military and its terror auxiliaries. The contradiction between such a policy and the overall interests of the SCO were gently stressed by PM Modi in his opening remarks at the Summit. The link of Pakistan to terror came out in full view when Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif made disapproving comments about the references to terror by Conference Chairperson Modi, a Freudian slip given that no country had been named by the Prime Minister.

2023 has been a challenging year for India, but as a consequence, the country has shown that it can play the role of a fair and capable intermediary in several matters where joint action by geopolitical adversaries is needed. At the SCO Summit, this quality was on display, and as a consequence, not just the 4 July Summit but the entire year has proceeded at a steady, balanced pace. This is the best rationale for India remaining within the SCO, while the country strengthens ties with the G7 and with not just the G20 but the G200, representing the Global South. India’s performance in its joint leadership during 2023 of the G20 and the SCO has shown just why the UNSC as currently constituted is in need of serious reform if it is to be rescued from its present state of paralysis and name-calling.

ALSO READ: Stage set for Modi’s France visit

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BSF attends SCO heads of border authorities meeting

Kazakhstan is set to take over the chairmanship of the SCO from July 2023 until July 2024, following the SCO summit under Indian Presidency on July 4….reports Asian Lite News

The Border Security Force (BSF) of India, on Wednesday, participated in the 9th meeting of the heads of border authorities of the competent bodies of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Kazakhstan.

Taking to Twitter, BSF said, “Indian Delegation led by Director General, Border Security Force of India participated in the 9th Meeting of the Heads of Border Authorities of the Competent Bodies of the member states of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation on 5th July 2023 in Almaty, Kazakhstan.”

Notably, Kazakhstan is set to take over the chairmanship of the SCO from July 2023 until July 2024, following the SCO summit under Indian Presidency on July 4.

Yesterday, the leaders of the SCO Member States held the meeting of the Council of Heads of State in video conference format and the member countries called for greater effectiveness of the World Trade Organization (WTO) as a key platform for discussing the international trade agenda and adopting the regulations of the multilateral trading system,” the Ministry of External Addairs said in their release.

However, they emphasized the need for early implementation of an inclusive reform of the organization, focusing on the issues of its development and adaptation to modern economic realities, as well as, effective implementation of the functions of monitoring, negotiation and settlement of disputes.

The Member States affirm the significance of further improving and reforming the architecture of global economic governance and will consistently advocate and strengthen an open, transparent, fair, inclusive and non-discriminatory multilateral trading system based on the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles and rules.

It will promote the development of an open world economy, ensure equitable market access, and oppose protectionist measures and trade restrictions contrary to the WTO principles that undermine the multilateral trading system and threaten the global economy.

They later stressed that the unilateral application of economic sanctions other than those approved by the UN Security Council is incompatible with the principles of international law and has a negative impact on third countries and international economic relations.

“Reaffirming their support for China’s “Belt and Road Initiative” (BRI) initiative, the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Russian Federation, Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan note the ongoing work to jointly implement this project, including efforts to link the construction of the Eurasian Economic Union and BRI,” the release said.

The Member States agreed to declare 2024 as the SCO Year of Environment and noted the importance of cooperation in the field of environmental protection, ecological security and prevention of the negative consequences of climate change, development of specially protected nature reserves and eco-tourism. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Kazakhstan stresses on energy ties within SCO

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Kazakhstan stresses on energy ties within SCO

President Tokayev outlined priorities of strategic importance under Kazakhstan’s upcoming chairmanship of the SCO….reports Asian Lite News

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Tuesday called for strengthening energy cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) which includes Russia, China and India.

In a virtual summit, under India’s presidency, the Kazakh President said that the country is ready to host an SCO energy forum and proposed developing a joint energy strategy for the organisation over the next year, the Kazakh government said in a release. He further stated that the SCO is a successful multilateral association with significant international authority, accounting for a quarter of the global GDP and more than 15 per cent of international trade.

President Tokayev outlined priorities of strategic importance under Kazakhstan’s upcoming chairmanship of the SCO.

The first one is ensuring security and stability in the SCO space, in which the President suggested that the main task of the SCO countries should be to prevent a geopolitical rift between East and West. Under the framework of its chairmanship, Kazakhstan will present the initiative “On world unity for a just peace and harmony.”

Highlighting the fight against the “three forces of evil” – transnational organized crime, drug trafficking, and cybercrime, Tokayev said that these will remain a priority during Kazakhstan’s chairmanship.

He also proposed to update the Program of Cooperation on Combating Terrorism, Separatism and Extremism for 2025-2027 and adopt the SCO Anti-Drug Strategy for 2024-2029 and the Action Program for its implementation.

Secondly, the expansion of trade and economic ties, where the President said that the Council of Heads of Government should consider the possibility of creating a joint Investment Fund and make proposals on this project.

“An effective platform for stimulating direct and portfolio investments in regional SCO projects can be the Astana International Financial Centre,” the statement read.

Another point is strengthening energy cooperation where President is ready to hold the SCO Energy Forum.

The fourth point was the expansion of cooperation in the digital sphere. In this, the President emphasised that the systematic reduction of the digital divide should become a priority in the activities of the SCO.

The fifth point is to Strengthen cooperation in the field of ecology. He said that it is necessary to establish partnership relations between the SCO and the UN Environment Program. Also, it is important to develop an agreement on cooperation in the field of environmental protection.

And the last point was the development of cultural and humanitarian ties, in which the President proposed to declare the city of Almaty the tourist and cultural capital of the SCO, under its presidency.

It is proposed to launch the SCO Spiritual Sanctuaries project. In Kazakhstan, the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yassawi is a world-significance shrine.

SCO is a Eurasian political, economic, international security and defence organisation. It is the world’s largest regional organisation in terms of geographic scope and population, covering approximately 60 per cent of the area of Eurasia, and 40 per cent of the world population.

It was founded in June 2001 in Shanghai by China, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. (ANI)

ALSO READ: SCO call for inclusive government in Afghanistan

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SCO call for inclusive government in Afghanistan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi who chaired the SCO summit, said, “The situation in Afghanistan has directly impacted the security of all of us…reports Asian Lite News

Expressing concern about the situation in Afghanistan, leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States (SCO) called for an establishment of inclusive government in Afghanistan with the participation of representatives of all ethnic, religious and political groups in Afghan society and pledged to continue to assist the Afghan people.

The member countries adopted New Delhi Declaration of the Council of Heads of State of Shanghai Cooperation Organization on Tuesday. Notably, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit concluded on Tuesday under India’s presidency with Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually chairing the meeting of head of states.

The SCO Member States called for an inclusive government in Afghanistan and stated that “the group consider it essential to establish an inclusive government in Afghanistan with the participation of representatives of all ethnic, religious and political groups in Afghan society.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi who chaired the SCO summit, said, “The situation in Afghanistan 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,” he said.

“Between the people of India and Afghanistan, there have been centuries-old friendly relations. In the past two decades, we have contributed to the economic and social development of Afghanistan. Even after the events of 2021, we continued to provide humanitarian assistance,” PM Modi added.

“The Member States believe that one of the most important factors in the preservation and strengthening of safety and stability within the SCO region is the early settlement of the situation in Afghanistan. They advocate building Afghanistan as an independent, neutral, united, democratic and peaceful state, free from terrorism, war and drugs,” the joint decalaration said.

They further stressed the importance of long-term hospitality and effective assistance provided to Afghan refugees by regional and neighbouring countries of Afghanistan. The Member States consider important, the active efforts of the international community to facilitate their dignified, safe and sustainable return to their homeland.

However, “the member states stressed the historical significance of the admission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the SCO as a full Member State. They also noted the importance of signing the Memorandum of Obligations by the Republic of Belarus to achieve the status of an SCO Member State,” the release added.

The Member States highly appreciated the outcomes of India’s presidency of the SCO in 2022-2023 which has contributed to the further development of multi-faceted and mutually beneficial cooperation.

“They further called for greater effectiveness of the World Trade Organization (WTO) as a key platform for discussing the international trade agenda and adopting the regulations of the multilateral trading system,” the official release said. However, they emphasized the need for early implementation of an inclusive reform of the organization, focusing on the issues of its development and adaptation to modern economic realities, as well as, effective implementation of the functions of monitoring, negotiation and settlement of disputes.  (ANI)

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SCO nations adopt Delhi Declaration

SCO member states also noted the inadmissibility of interference in the internal affairs of states under the pretext of countering terrorism and extremism…reports Asian Lite News

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) members reaffirmed strong commitment to fighting terrorism, separatism and extremism, including the elimination of sleeper cells and places used as ‘safe havens’ for terrorists, stated the New Delhi Declaration after the conclusion of the summit under India’s presidency.

The SCO summit concluded under India’s presidency earlier in the day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and heads of state of other SCO nations virtually participated in the event. India assumed the rotating chairmanship of the SCO at the Samarkand Summit of SCO on September 16 last year. The theme of India’s Chairmanship of SCO in 2023 is ‘SECURE-SCO’.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the Delhi Declaration stated, “Reaffirming their strong commitment to fighting terrorism, separatism and extremism, the Member States are determined to continue taking active measures to eliminate the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism, to disrupt the terror financing channels, to suppress recruitment activities and cross-border movement of terrorists, to counter extremism, and radicalization of youth, the dissemination of terrorist ideology, as well as to eliminate “sleeper cells” and places used as terrorist safe havens”.

The SCO member states also noted the inadmissibility of interference in the internal affairs of states under the pretext of countering terrorism and extremism, as well as unacceptability of using terrorist, extremist and radical groups for mercenary goals.

The member states consider it important to build up joint coordinated efforts by the international community to counter the attempts to involve young people in the activities of terrorist, separatist and extremist groups.

“The Member States note the effective activities of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) in promoting cooperation between competent authorities in countering terrorism, separatism and extremism, including the implementation of the relevant Program for 2022-2024. The importance of implementing practical measures aimed at expanding its capabilities to strengthen cooperation in these areas was emphasized,” the declaration stated.

It added, “Subject to their national laws and on the basis of consensus, the Member States will seek to develop common principles and approaches to form a unified list of terrorist, separatist and extremist organizations whose activities are prohibited on the territories of the SCO Member States”.

The Member States emphasize a key role of the UN in countering threats in the information space, creating a safe, fair and open information space built on the principles of respect for state sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.

The member states categorically opposed the militarization of information and communication technologies (ICTs).

“They support development of universal rules, principles and norms of responsible behavior of states in this area, and in particular, welcome the development under the auspices of the UN of a comprehensive international convention against the use of ICT for criminal purposes. The Member States will continue cooperation within the framework of specialized negotiating mechanisms at the UN and other international platforms,” the declaration stated.

It added, “The Member States have expressed their concern about the growing threats posed by increased production, trafficking and abuse of narcotic drugs and using the proceeds of illicit drug-trafficking as a source of funding for terrorism. They stressed the need for a joint and balanced approach to countering trafficking of illicit drugs and their precursors, and noted the importance of implementing the international drug control conventions and other relevant legal regulatory instruments”.

The Member States also focussed on the illicit drug trafficking and their non-medical consumption posing threat to international and regional security and stability, sustainable economic development of states, health and well-being of people, as well as the exercise of fundamental human rights and freedoms.

Emphasizing the importance of consolidating forces in the fight against illicit drug-trafficking and wide cooperation in this area, the member states will continue implementing the SCO ‘Anti-Drug Strategy’ for 2018-2023 and Action Plan for its implementation.

The Member States intend to further conduct joint anti-drug operations on a regular basis.

According to the Ministry, the SCO member states also focussed on continuation of the nuclear disarmament process mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes.

“The Member States that are parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons are in favour of strict observance of the provisions of the Treaty, the comprehensive balanced promotion of all the goals and principles fixed therein, strengthening of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime, continuation of the nuclear disarmament process, as well as the promotion of an equitable, mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes,” the release stated.

It added, “The Member States stand for responding to global and regional security challenges and threats through political and diplomatic means on a multilateral basis and will strengthen cooperation and actively promote the multilateral arms control, disarmament and non- proliferation process, including efforts within the framework of the Conference on Disarmament”.

The Member States advocated keeping outer space free of weapons of any kind and state the importance of strict observance of existing legal regime, which provides for solely peaceful use of outer space.

They emphasized the need to conclude an international legally- binding document that would enhance transparency and provide reliable guarantees to prevent an arms race and not be the first to deploy weapons in outer space.

The SCO member states also emphasised the importance of the Convention on Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction (BTWC) as one of pillars of the global security architecture.

“They emphasized the need for strict adherence to the BTWC, in particular, through adoption of a Protocol to the Convention which provides for an effective verification mechanism. They oppose creating any mechanisms duplicating the BTWC functions, including those that fall within the mandate of the UN Security Council,” the Ministry stated in the declaration.

The Member States called out for full compliance with the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction (CWC) as an effective instrument in disarmament and non-proliferation.

The SCO member states also emphasized the significance of early destruction of all declared stockpiles of chemical weapons. The Member States reaffirm their support for Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and advocate for concerted decisions to bridge divisions within the Organization, ensure its integrity and operate effectively under the Convention.

“The Member States also consider the sustainable implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Action Plan on the Iranian nuclear program to be important and, in accordance with Resolution 2231 of the UN Security Council, urge all the participants to strictly fulfill their obligations for comprehensive and effective implementation of the document,” the Ministry stated in the declaration. (ANI)

ALSO READ-SCO SUMMIT: Modi slams ‘double standards’ on terrorism

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SCO SUMMIT: Xi stresses on regional peace

Chinese President urged member states of the SCO to “follow the right direction and enhance their solidarity and mutual trust”…reports Asian Lite News

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday urged leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) bloc to work towards safeguarding “regional peace”.

Addressing a virtual SCO Summit hosted by India, Xi called for efforts to safeguard regional peace and ensure common security.

He urged member states of the SCO to “follow the right direction and enhance their solidarity and mutual trust”, China’s state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

The Chinese President spoke after Prime Minister Narendra Modi had, during his opening address, urged upon the SCO, not to hesitate from criticising countries promoting cross border terrorism, in an oblique reference to Pakistan, which is also participating in the Summit.

In his address, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that sanctions have made Russia stronger and added that his country will stand up against all sanctions and provocations.

Russia has been facing sanctions globally since it’s war with Ukraine began in February 2022.

This was Putin’s first public appearance at an international forum since a coup attempt against the Kremlin by the head of the Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, late last month.

ALSO READ: SCO SUMMIT: Modi slams ‘double standards’ on terrorism

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SCO SUMMIT: Modi slams ‘double standards’ on terrorism

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, China’s President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin among others participated in the summit….reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, in an apparent attack on Pakistan and China, called on member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to not hesitate to condemn countries that use cross-border terrorism as ‘policy instruments’ and shelter terrorists.

“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.” Addressing the 23rd summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation through video conference the prime minister said that “Terrorism is a threat to regional and global peace, we will have to fight against terrorism.”

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, China’s President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin among others participated in the summit.

“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 Modi said.

He 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”.

Last month, China had blocked a proposal by India and the United States at the United Nations to designate Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Sajid Mir, wanted for his involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks, as a global terrorist.

This move of China was sternly criticised by India, as even after 15 years since the Mumbai terrorist attacks, the masterminds behind the atrocity have yet to be brought to justice.

Meanwhile, in his virtual address to the SCO heads of the summit meeting, PM Modi also laid focus on the situation in Afghanistan and said that Afghan soil should not be allowed to be used to destabilise its neighbourhood.

The Prime Minister said that humanitarian assistance and setting of an elected government in Kabul are major priorities of the SCO.

“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,” he said.

PM Modi 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”. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Iran becomes full member of SCO

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Iran becomes full member of SCO

Iran originally requested to join the alliance 15 years ago….reports Asian Lite News

Iran, one of India’s neighbours in its extended neighbourhood, has formally become a full member of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who on Tuesday chaired the SCO Summit virtually, said Iran is going to join as new member of the organization and also welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Obligation for the SCO membership of Belarus. “I am happy that today Iran is going to join the SCO family as a new member. For this, I convey my best wishes to President Ebrahim Raisi and the people of Iran. Also, we welcome the signing of the memorandum of obligation for Belarus’ SCO membership,” PM Modi said at the summit.

Iran originally requested to join the alliance 15 years ago. SCO follows a rigorous process of admission.

In 2021, Iran’s Foreign Ministry announced that they had joined the SCO as the ninth member.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran becomes 9th member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. At the end of the 21st Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), held in the Tajik capital Dushanbe, the leaders of the eight main members of the organisation agreed to change the membership of the Islamic Republic of Iran from an observer member to a full member and signed the relevant documents,” the ministry said in a release.

Earlier, in May, an official said that the observer countries of the SCO, Iran and Belarus could soon become full-time members of the charter as the decision is under consideration as of now.

In his virtual address at the 23rd Summit of the SCO Council of Heads of State, PM Modi also stated that several new platforms such as the Young Scientist Conclave, Authors Conclave, Startup Forum, and Youth Council have been organized to harness the talent of the youth from SCO countries.

“Over the past two decades, the SCO has emerged as an important platform for peace, prosperity and development in the entire Eurasia region. India’s thousands of years old cultural and people-to-people ties with this region are living testimony to our shared heritage,” he said.

PM Modi chaired the SCO meeting virtually. Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and other leaders virtually participated in the SCO meeting.

PM Modi said that India has made efforts to take its multi-faceted cooperation with SCO to new heights.

“We do not only see the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) as an extended neighbourhood, but rather as an extended family. As Chair of the SCO, India has made efforts to take our multi-faceted cooperation to new heights,” PM Modi said.

PM Modi noted that security, economic development, connectivity, unity, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and environmental protection are pillars of India’s vision for SCO. (ANI)

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‘SCO has emerged as key platform for peace’

Putin, Sharif, Xi, Raisi, Lukashenko, Tokayev and other leaders virtually participate in SCO meeting…reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in the past 20 years has emerged as an important platform for peace, prosperity and development in the entire Eurasia region. He said that India sees SCO as an extended family.

In his virtual address at the 23rd Summit of the SCO Council of Heads of State, PM Modi said that several new platforms such as the Young Scientist Conclave, Authors Conclave, Startup Forum, and Youth Council have been organized to harness the talent of the youth from SCO countries. “Over the past two decades, the SCO has emerged as an important platform for peace, prosperity and development in the entire Eurasia region. India’s thousands of years old cultural and people-to-people ties with this region are living testimony to our shared heritage,” he said.

PM Modi chaired the SCO meeting virtually. Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and other leaders virtually participated in the SCO meeting.

New Delhi, July 04 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit via video conference, in New Delhi on Tuesday. Russian President Vladimir Putin also seen. (ANI Photo)

PM Modi said that India has made efforts to take its multi-faceted cooperation with SCO to new heights.

“We do not only see the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) as an extended neighbourhood, but rather as an extended family. As Chair of the SCO, India has made efforts to take our multi-faceted cooperation to new heights,” PM Modi said.

PM Modi noted that security, economic development, connectivity, unity, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and environmental protection are pillars of India’s vision for SCO.

“India has established five pillars of cooperation within the SCO: Startup and innovation, traditional medicine, youth empowerment, digital inclusion, and shared Buddhist heritage,” he said.

The theme of India’s chairship of SCO-SECURE is derived from the acronym coined by PM Modi at the 2018 SCO Qingdao Summit. It stands for S: Security, E: Economic development, C: Connectivity, U: Unity, R: Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, E: Environmental protection.

Tough talk on terror

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, in an apparent attack on Pakistan and China, called on member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to not hesitate to condemn countries that use cross-border terrorism as ‘policy instruments’ and shelter terrorists.

“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.” Addressing the 23rd summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation through video conference the prime minister said that “Terrorism is a threat to regional and global peace, we will have to fight against terrorism.”

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, China’s President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin among others participated in the summit.

“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 Modi said.

He 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”.

Last month, China had blocked a proposal by India and the United States at the United Nations to designate Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Sajid Mir, wanted for his involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks, as a global terrorist.

This move of China was sternly criticised by India, as even after 15 years since the Mumbai terrorist attacks, the masterminds behind the atrocity have yet to be brought to justice.

Meanwhile, in his virtual address to the SCO heads of the summit meeting, PM Modi also laid focus on the situation in Afghanistan and said that Afghan soil should not be allowed to be used to destabilise its neighbourhood.

The Prime Minister said that humanitarian assistance and setting of an elected government in Kabul are major priorities of the SCO.

“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,” he said.

PM Modi 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”. (ANI)

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