Defence Minister Rajnath Singh calls upon SCO member states to collectively work towards eliminating terrorism & fix accountability on its supporters

 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has called upon the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states to collectively work towards eliminating terrorism and fix accountability on those who aid or fund such activities. 

Addressing the Defence Ministers of SCO member countries in New Delhi yesterday, April 28 Mr. Singh asserted that terrorist acts or support to terrorist activities is a crime against humanity and peace cannot coexist with this menace. He also expressed concern over the radicalisation of youth terming it a major security challenge and obstacle in the path of socio-economic progress of society.

Defence Minister added that India envisions a robust framework of regional cooperation which mutually respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all member states by taking care of their legitimate interests. He asserted that New Delhi strives to further bolster trust and cooperation among the members of the SCO as it believes in maintaining peace and security based on the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.

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Mr Singh voiced India’s commitment towards defence capacity building of SCO member states through training and co-manufacturing and co-development of items. He stated that as security challenges are not limited to any one country, India is moving forward with a collaborative approach in the field of defence partnership, keeping in mind the shared interests. 

He also reiterated India’s commitment to play the role of a first responder and preferred partner for any Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operation in the region. He said, be it the COVID-19 pandemic or the recent earthquake in Turkiye, India has always moved forward in line with its spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. At the end of the deliberations, all the SCO member countries signed a protocol, expressing their collective will to make the region secure, peaceful and prosperous.

Addressing the media after the meeting, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane said, all the member nations arrived at a consensus on several areas of cooperation including dealing with terrorism, security of vulnerable populations in various countries as well as Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief. He stated that all member states were unanimous in their statements that terrorism, in all its forms, must be condemned and eliminated. Defence Ministers of China, Russia, Iran, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan attended the meeting.

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 (With input from news agency language)
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