India has once again refused to opt in favor of China’s Belt and Road Initiative(BRI).
India became the only country in Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to refuse for the endorsement of the project.
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The declaration of the summit hosted under India’s Presidency stated that all the member countries of the organization Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan reaffirmed their support for the BRI.
“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 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,” it said.
“They spoke in favour of implementing the Roadmap for gradual increase in the share of national currencies in mutual settlements by the interested Member States,” the statement also said.
About the summit 2024
The summit was hosted by India virtually where PM Modi and heads of state of other SCO nations virtually took part in the event.
The summit, chaired by PM Modi, was joined by Chinese President Xi Jinping, his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other leaders of the grouping. India’s chairmanship of SCO has been a period of intense activity and mutually beneficial cooperation between Member States. India has hosted a total of 134 meetings and events, including 14 Ministerial-level meetings.
Addressing the 23rd SCO summit, Xi Jinping said, “Efforts should be made to further promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, speed up the development of port infrastructure and regional and international logistic corridors, and ensure stable and smooth functioning of regional industrial and supply chains”.”Ten years ago, I proposed the Belt and Road Initiative, and on its tenth anniversary, China will hold the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation,” Xinhua quoted Xi as saying.
“Prime Minister clearly said in his remarks that connectivity is important for SCO member states. But connectivity has to be respectful of sovereignty and territorial integrity. India’s position on the BRI has been clear,” Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said while addressing the briefing of the Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday.
PM Modi on terrorism
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asserted that “there must not be any double standards in combating terrorist activities” and the SCO “must not hesitate to criticise countries that support cross-border terrorism as part of state policy”. “Terrorism has become a threat to regional and global peace,” PM Modi said while addressing the India-led SCO summit.
“We have to fight together against terrorism that may be in any form and any manifestation,” PM Modi added.
About SCO
The Shanghai Cooperation organization(SCO) is a Eurasian political , economic, international security and defence organization. It is world’s largest regional organization in terms of geographic area and population. The SCO charter was signed in 2002 nd entered into force in 2003. The eight members of the organization are India, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan.
India has earlier as well refused to support Xi Jinping’s flagship programme for trade and connectivity. During the previous SCO meets as wel, India has not changed its stance on the BRI and has become the country not to endorse the project.
PM Modi on extending SCO’s membership to Iran
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday said the members of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation can work towards maximizing the utilization of the Chabahar Port following Iran’s membership of the world’s largest regional organization.
