Page 38 - NIS English Jul 16-31 2024

SCO International

Need to give a decisive answer

to cross-border terrorism

The 24th meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was held on 4 July
in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not attend this
meeting, in his place External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar represented India. External
Affairs Minister Dr. Jaishankar delivered Prime Minister Modi's speech in the meeting. In
the speech, along with many important issues, the need to give a decisive answer to cross-
border terrorism was emphasized…

ndia joined as a member of the Shanghai Cooperation in SCO is people-centric
Cooperation Organization (SCO) in 2017 during For India, cooperation in the SCO has
Ithe Kazakhstan Presidency. India also hosted been people-centric. India has organized
the meeting of the Council of Heads of Government the SCO Millet Food Festival, SCO Film
in 2020 and the meeting of the Council of Heads Festival, SCO Surajkund Crafts Mela, SCO
of State in 2023. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Think-Tank Conference, and International
speech at the SCO Council of Heads of State Conference on Shared Buddhist Heritage
meeting was delivered by External Affairs Minister during its chairmanship.
Dr. Jaishankar, who was present there.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's message Startup Forum and the Special Working Group
strongly condemned cross-border terrorism. on Startups and Innovation. India has 1 lakh 30
Terrorism would surely rank foremost for many thousand startups, including 100 unicorns. This is
of us. The truth is that it is being used as a why India's experience can be useful for others. In
means of destabilization by nations. We have his message, Prime Minister Modi said that when
our own experiences of cross-border terrorism. It it comes to medical and wellness tourism, you
must be clear to us that terrorism in any form or would know that WHO has set up a global center
manifestation cannot be condoned. Harboring for traditional medicine in Gujarat. In the SCO, India
terrorists must be strongly condemned. There is has taken the initiative for a new SCO working
a need to give a decisive response to cross-border group on traditional medicine. In his statement,
terrorism and terrorism financing and recruitment PM Modi said that technology at present is not
must be effectively countered. The SCO should only very promising but is also fast becoming a
never lose its commitment. We cannot adopt game changer in terms of both development and
double standards in this regard. security. The digital age requires greater trust and
India has also contributed significantly to transparency. During his visit to Astana, External
enhancing the economic agenda of the SCO. India Affairs Minister Jaishankar also met several
has institutionalized mechanisms like the SCO dignitaries on the sidelines of the event. n

36 New India Samachar July 16-31, 2024