Rajnath Singh emphasizes practical cooperation among SCO members, discusses security, connectivity, and opportunities at the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting.
India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has called for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to convert its political vision into practical cooperation that benefits the people of the region. During a meeting in Tajikistan today, Singh highlighted the importance of the SCO's 25-year journey as an opportunity to review achievements and discuss future direction. The Minister stressed the interconnectedness of security, connectivity, and opportunities for achieving tangible benefits for the population.
Singh addressed terrorism as a grave threat to peace and development in the region. He underscored that terrorism leads to loss of innocent lives, disrupts investment and economic capabilities, radicalises societies, and deprives young people of opportunities. The Minister asserted that there should be no justification for terrorism, no double standards in combating it, and no place for those who finance, support, or provide safe havens to terrorists. Singh called for collective dismantling of the entire ecosystem of terrorism.
In terms of connectivity, Singh supports initiatives linking markets and facilitating trade, citing the International North-South Transport Corridor and Chabahar Port as significant contributors to connecting Central Asia with wider markets. He emphasized that connectivity projects must respect sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries.
Singh also shared India's experience in harnessing technology and innovation for development. He highlighted how India's Digital Public Infrastructure has transformed public service delivery, expanded financial inclusion, and built one of the world's largest startup ecosystems.
Source:
Akashvani News
