India hopes that the coming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin will make a strong condemnation of cross-border terrorism, consistent with the founding values of the bloc, the External Affairs Ministry said on Tuesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to travel to China for the summit.
Even though the SCO charter does not allow discussions on bilateral issues, India has always pushed for the incorporation of cross-border terrorism in joint statements and documents adopted by the 10-member group. During other summits, India and Pakistan have had run-ins over this matter.
Addressing a media briefing along with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Tanmaya Lal, Secretary (West) in the External Affairs Ministry, noted India is working with other SCO members and partners to get a strong condemnation of terrorism on board at the Tianjin summit.
“The SCO was established with the primary goal of countering the three evils of terrorism, separatism and extremism, which continue to remain a challenge,” he said, noting that India has actively engaged with SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS).
Tanmaya Lal noted that joint statements from previous SCO Summits, including the 2023 summit chaired by India, have featured strong condemnations of terrorism, specifically highlighting cross-border terrorism.
“As far as the declaration at this [upcoming] summit is concerned, that is under finalisation…We are working with other members and partners to see that there should be a reiteration of the strong condemnation of terrorism, including cross-border terrorism,” he said. “The security of the region remains a priority for the SCO members.”
The SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure is based in Tashkent and India chaired the body’s council during 2021-22. During India’s presidency of SCO in 2023, the bloc adopted a joint statement on cooperation on countering radicalisation leading to separatism, extremism and terrorism.
Tanmaya Lal indicated that joint statements from previous SCO Summits, even in 2023 under India's chairmanship, have continuously condemned terrorism, especially cross border terrorism.
“As far as the declaration at this [upcoming] summit is concerned, that is under finalisation…We are working with other members and partners to see that there should be a reiteration of the strong condemnation of terrorism, including cross-border terrorism,” he said. “The security of the region remains a priority for the SCO members.”
The Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the SCO is located in Tashkent and was also chaired by India in 2021 - 22. When India exercised its presidency of the SCO in 2023, the group issued a joint statement to work together to combat the radicalization of individuals towards separatism, extremism and terrorism.
The SCO's Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure, which is located in Tashkent, was led by India in 2021-22. When India took over the SCO presidency in 2023, the organisation took up a joint statement focusing on cooperation to combat radicalization that may result in separatism, extremism, and terrorism.
Cross-border terrorism has again become the center of attention in the run-up to the SCO summit, in the wake of India's Operation Sindoor in May. The operation was aimed at terrorist bases in Pakistan in response to the Pahalgam terror attack in April that killed 26 civilians. The following four days of intense hostility ended with an agreement between the two nations on May 10.
In addition to security issues, India's priorities at the SCO are economic and trade cooperation, connectivity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the environment, Tanmaya Lal said.
Narendra Modi will be visiting China following his tour of Japan, which will be the initial stage of his two-nation visit. Upon arrival in Tianjin, he will be attending a welcome dinner on the night of August 31, prior to the SCO summit on September 1.
On the sidelines of the summit, Modi is also likely to hold bilateral meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and several Central Asian leaders, according to sources. This will be Modi’s second meeting with Xi since both sides reached an understanding last October to end the military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
After their last meeting, Modi and Xi reached an understanding to resuscitate some of the mechanisms to normalise ties and solve the border standoff. Consequently, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has resumed, New Delhi has re-opened tourist visas for the Chinese, and both have lately agreed to proposals such as restarting direct flights and an "early harvest" strategy for border delimitation.
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