Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) nations must not hesitate to condemn countries that use cross-border terrorism as 'policy instruments', in an apparent reference to Pakistan. Addressing the 23rd SCO summit virtually, Modi said there must not be any "double standards" in combating terrorist activities.
"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," said Modi, with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russia's Vladimir Putin listening.
Modi talked about the growing importance of the SCO and said, "It is our shared responsibility to understand each other's needs and sensitivities and resolve all challenges through better cooperation and coordination."
"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,” he said.
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.
There has also been increasing global criticism of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). India has been severely critical of the BRI as the project includes the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that passes through Pakistan occupied Kashmir.
The prime minister noted that the situation in Afghanistan has affected the security of the region and that humanitarian assistance to Kabul is a major priority 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.