New Delhi: On October 20, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh urged the member nations of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to work together to dismantle the entire ecosystem of terrorism. He described it as a serious threat to regional peace, economic development, and progress.
Addressing the 25th SCO meeting in Dushanbe, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh urged member nations to dismantle the entire network of terrorism and take action against those who provide financial support and safe havens to terrorists.
The Minister called for further strengthening economic cooperation amid geopolitical tensions, trade disruptions and concerns related to energy and food security. India reiterated its support for the SCO action plan concerning the Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation Programme for 2026–2030, which emphasizes inclusive growth and tangible benefits for all member states.
Singh welcomed the establishment of the SCO’s Universal Centre in Tashkent and Anti-Drug Centre in Dushanbe as permanent bodies, underlining the need for effective coordination and timely implementation. He also highlighted India’s digital public infrastructure, start-up ecosystem and women-led development initiatives as examples of technology-driven and inclusive growth.
Highlighting India’s global initiatives—including the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, Mission LiFE, and the Global Biofuels Alliance—the Minister noted that these contribute toward sustainable development, climate resilience, and clean energy.
Highlighting regional connectivity, Singh said the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and Iran’s Chabahar Port could improve Central Asia’s access to global markets. He stressed that connectivity projects must respect national sovereignty, while streamlined customs procedures and better logistics could boost regional trade.
Singh highlighted regional infrastructure financing and the first SCO Asian Economic Dialogue, urging member states to focus on practical outcomes through consensus. He also invited them to the first SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum, to be hosted by India later this year.
The meeting reviewed ways to strengthen cooperation in the areas of trade, transport, finance, the digital economy and social development. Member states adopted a joint communique, which includes the SCO budget for 2027, financial and administrative matters and the PMTEC Action Plan for 2026–2030. India, a full member of the organization since 2017, has been consistently and actively participating in its economic and security-related initiatives.
(PIB)
