India expects full support from SCO for reformed multilateralism: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said, India expects full support from SCO for a reformed multilateralism that reflects today's global realities.

Addressing the 20th Summit of SCO Council of Heads of State via video-conferencing yesterday, Mr Modi said, the United Nations has completed 75 years, but the basic goal of the United Nations is still incomplete. He said, the world which is struggling due to the pandemic expects a complete change in the system of the UN.

 

The Prime Minister said, India will participate as a non-permanent member in the United Nations Security Council from 2021 and he expects support from all the SCO member countries.

 

He said, India has always been committed to work according to the principles laid out in SCO charter. Mr Modi said, it is unfortunate that repeated attempts are being made to unnecessarily bring bilateral issues into the SCO agenda which violate the SCO Charter and Shanghai Spirit.

 

The Prime Minister said, during the difficult times of pandemic, Indian pharma industry supplied essential medicines to over 150 countries. As the world's biggest vaccine manufacturing country, India will use its capacity to help entire humanity in fighting the crisis.

 

Mr Modi reiterated India’s firm belief in regional peace, security and prosperity and raising voice against terrorism, smuggling of illegal weapons, drugs and money-laundering.

 

Prime Minister underlined India’s strong cultural and historical connect with the SCO region and reiterated India’s firm commitment towards strengthening connectivity in the region with initiatives like International



North-South Transport Corridor, Chabahar Port and Ashgabat Agreement.

He also extended full support to observing the 20th anniversary of SCO in 2021 as the "SCO Year of Culture” and spoke of India’s own initiatives to hold the first SCO exhibition on Shared Buddhist Heritage to be organized by National Museum of India, SCO Food Festival in India next year and the translation of Ten regional language literary works into Russian and Chinese.

 

Mr Modi expressed India’s readiness to host the next regular meeting of SCO Council of Heads of Government on 30th of this month in virtual format. India has also proposed to set up a Special Working Group on Innovation and Startups and a Sub Group on Traditional Medicine within SCO. He elaborated on India's vision of a "Aatma Nirbhar Bharat" (Self-reliant India) in the post-pandemic world that could prove to be a force multiplier for the global economy and the economic progress of the SCO region.

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon for assuming the chairmanship of SCO next year and assured full cooperation from India.

 

Other SCO Member States were represented by their Presidents, while India and Pakistan were represented at the level of Prime Minister. Other participants were, Secretary General of the SCO Secretariat, Executive Director of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure, the Presidents of the four Observers Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Mongolia.

 

This was the first SCO Summit held in Virtual Format and third meeting that India participated after becoming a full member in 2017.