'No Double Standards On Terrorism': PM Modi Calls Out Pakistan At SCO In Presence Of PM Sharif

Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually addressed the SCO meeting where he called to put a united front against the global threat of terrorism.

PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday virtually addressed the SCO summit.

Source : PTI | Getty Images

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday virtually addressed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting and made a strong remark on the problem of terrorism and terror-breeding nations. Calling for a united action to tackle the menace of terrorism, PM Modi said that terrorism is a threat to regional and global peace. 

"We will have to fight against terrorism...Some countries use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of their policies and give shelter to terrorists. SCO should not hesitate to criticize such countries. SCO countries should condemn it. There should be no double standards on terrorism," the PM said in a veiled attack on Pakistan.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), says "Terrorism is a threat to regional and global peace. We will have to fight against terrorism...Some countries use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of their policies and give shelter… pic.twitter.com/qOjYt3Juo5

— ANI (@ANI) July 4, 2023

PM Modi said that the SCO has been an important platform for peace, prosperity and development in the entire Eurasia region in the last two decades. "India's thousands of years old cultural and people to people ties with this region are a living testimony to our shared heritage," the PM added.

Speaking on the importance of the group, the PM said, "We do not see the SCO as an extended neighbourhood, but rather as an extended family. Security, economic development, connectivity, unity, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and environmental protection are the pillars of our vision for SCO."

पिछले दो दशकों में, SCO, पूरे यूरेशिया क्षेत्र में, शान्ति, समृद्धि और विकास के लिए एक महत्वपूर्ण प्लेटफार्म के रूप में उभरा है।

इस क्षेत्र के साथ, भारत के हजारों वर्ष पुराने सांस्कृतिक और people to people संबंध, हमारी साझा विरासत का जीवंत प्रमाण हैं। pic.twitter.com/brBBHAVw7a

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 4, 2023

Prime Minister Modi added that to harness the talent of the youth from SCO countries, several new platforms such as the Young Scientist Conclave, Authors Conclave, Startup Forum, and Youth Council have been organized. He said these platforms aim to channel the potential of SCO's youth and provide them with meaningful opportunities.

"India has established five pillars of cooperation within the SCO: Startup and innovation, traditional medicine, youth empowerment, digital inclusion, and shared Buddhist heritage. 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," the PM said highlighting India's contribution to the group and its development.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), says "India has established five pillars of cooperation within the SCO: Startup and innovation, traditional medicine, youth empowerment, digital inclusion, and shared Buddhist heritage. Over the… pic.twitter.com/qNgBW03e0s

— ANI (@ANI) July 4, 2023

PM Modi also announced the signing of the Memorandum of Obligation for the SCO membership of Belarus.

He also mentioned India's AI-based language platform Bhashini in the address and said, "We would be delighted to share India's AI-based language platform Bhashini with everyone to remove language barriers within SCO. It can become an example of digital technology and inclusive growth. SCO can become a significant voice for reforms within the UN and other global institutions. I am delighted that Iran is joining the SCO family as a new member..."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is presiding over the meeting of SCO Heads of State which includes Chinese President Xi Jinping, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Russian President Vladimir Putin among others. Terrorism, regional security, and prosperity are among the primary themes scheduled to be on the agenda.

The term established by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 2018 SCO Qingadao summit inspired India's SCO chairship theme, SECURE. S represents for security, E stands for economic growth, C stands for connectivity, U stands for unity, R stands for respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and E stands for environmental preservation.

Notably, speaking to President Putin on the margins of the SCO summit in Uzbekistan last year, Prime Minister Modi also stated, "This is not the era of war," a comment that was included in the G20 communiqué during India's leadership. Earlier on June 30, Prime Minister Modi spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin about bilateral cooperation issues such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the G20.

All SCO member countries, including China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan have been invited to the summit.

Iran, Belarus, and Mongolia have all been invited as Observer States. Turkmenistan has also been invited as the chair's guest, as is customary at the SCO. The Secretariat and the SCO RATS will also be represented, as will the heads of the two SCO Bodies.

Pakistan and China had stated their desire to attend the summit, which is one of the conference's primary features.