Member States will continue to cooperate in countering radical ideology and propaganda by promoting ideas of peaceful coexistence of states,

(India refuses to back China's BRI project, exposes Pakistan's double standards on terrorism)  

“The Russian people are consolidated as never before,” Putin told a virtual meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Tuesday, July 4. 

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member nations issued two thematic Joint Statements - one on cooperation in countering the radicalisation leading to separatism, extremism and terrorism and the second one on cooperation in the field of digital transformation.

Foreign Secretart Kwatra with spokesman Bagchi 

The Joint Statement was a virtual snub for Pakistan after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's stating it clearly that some countries "use cross-border terrorism".
The Joint Statement reiterated that any act of terrorism is criminal and unjustifiable. 

The Joint Statement said

"Member States, while strongly condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomever, wherever and for whatever purpose, stress that terrorism should not be associated with any religion, civilisation, nationality or ethnic group. 

Member States will further develop cooperation in countering radicalization that leads to terrorism, separatism and extremism, including by sharing experiences and best practices, in accordance with the SCO Charter and generally accepted principles and norms of international law.

* Member States will continue to implement the SCO 2022-2024 Programme of Cooperation in Countering Terrorism, Extremism and Separatism and national programmes to counter radicalisation.

** Member States will exchange practical experience on how to ensure the security of major international events held on the territory of SCO member states.
*** 

Member States advocate promoting regional cooperation to counter radical ideologies that lead to terrorism, separatism and extremism, as well as denying their supporters the means and opportunity to pursue their activities.

Member States will conduct media campaigns at national level to prevent and counter radicalization leading to terrorism, extremism and separatism.

In his virtual address, 'host' for this year's Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said “some countries use cross-border terrorism and give safe haven to terrorists” - without naming any country, He also urged the SCO countries to condemn it.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Shehbaz Sharif warned against the use of terrorism as a ‘bat for diplomatic point-swearing’, and spoke about terrorism as a 'hydra-headed monster' to be fought with 'full conviction' irrespective of its source.

File snap 

"Terrorism may be in any form, in any manifestation, we have to fight together against it," Modi said addressing the 23rd Summit of the SCO Council of Heads virtually on Tuesday, July 4.

Attacking indirectly to Pakistan, Modi said, "Some countries use cross-border terrorism as a policy instrument and shelter terrorists and the SCO should condemn such countries."

"There should be no double standards on terrorism," Modi added. Raising concerns over the Afghanistan situation, he said India's concerns and expectations regarding Afghanistan are similar to those of most of the SCO countries.

"The land of Afghanistan is not to be used to spread instability in neighboring countries or encourage extremist ideologies," he added.

The Prime Minister said, "The people of India and Afghanistan enjoy age-old friendly relations and in the last two decades, we have contributed to the economic and social development of Afghanistan,' adding, 'Even after the events of 2021, we have been sending humanitarian aid."

Taking the importance and role of SCO countries, the Prime Minister said the food, fuel and fertiliser crisis are a big challenge for all countries in the world surrounded by controversies, tensions, epidemics.

India refuses to back China's BRI project

India has always opposed the BRI as India finds that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor violates India’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. 

India on Tuesday once again refused to endorse China's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), becoming the only country in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) not to support the project. 

A declaration issued at the end of an India-hosted virtual summit of the grouping said Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan reaffirmed their support to the BRI.

In his opening remarks at the summit, Modi highlighted the need for boosting connectivity, but asserted that it is essential to respect the basic principles of the SCO charter, especially the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states, while making such efforts.

Russia will continue to oppose Western sanctions, President Vladimir Putin has said, following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, says BBC report. 

His address to a virtual Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit was his first to an international meeting since last month's mutiny in Russia.
Mr Putin backed trade accords between SCO nations in local currencies - seen as an attempt to blunt sanctions.

The 2023 SCO summit is taking place virtually, under India's leadership.
Mr Putin used the platform to send a message of defiance to the West, saying "Russia counters all these external sanctions, pressures and provocations and continues to develop as never before".

He has made several public appearances since the Wagner mercenary group staged a short-lived mutiny in late June, but this was the first time he'd been seen with a group of international leaders.

"I would like to thank my colleagues from the SCO countries who expressed support for the actions of the Russian leadership to protect the constitutional order and the life and security of citizens," he told the summit in a televised address from the Kremlin in Moscow.

Mr Putin added that more than 80% of trade between Chinese and Russian people was in roubles and yuan, and urged other SCO members to follow the same process. 

“Russian political circles and the whole of society clearly demonstrated their unity and elevated sense of responsibility for the fate of the fatherland when they responded as a united front against an attempted armed mutiny,” Putin added.

The Russian leader also welcomed Russian ally Belarus's application to become a permanent member of the SCO next year.