New Delhi: Rajnath Singh, the defence minister, urged the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) members on Friday to work together to eradicate terrorism and hold accountable those who support or finance such activities. 

The Defense Minister issued a warning to countries that harboured terrorists, emphasizing that radicalization compromises national security and impedes socio-economic development. He urged prioritizing effective anti-terrorism efforts in order to boost the SCO's standing as a global organisation.

The minister emphasised India's commitment to upholding the ideals of the UN Charter, respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other SCO members, and building trust and cooperation among them. As the SCO is a potent economic and security bloc with enormous potential in today's multilateral world, Singh encouraged a shift towards a "win-win" paradigm to ensure collective prosperity in the region.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), founded in 2001 by China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Russia, has grown to be one of the largest transregional international organisations. In 2017, Pakistan and India became permanent members.

Rajnath Singh also threw light on India’s age-old ties with SCO countries, asserting that the Member States of the Organisation are common stakeholders in the progress and prosperity of the region. 

He said, there is a need to strengthen ties with SCO member states bilaterally and within the framework of the organisation on the basis of equality, respect and mutual understanding,”  He also invited all SCO Member States to visit India next year when New Delhi takes over the presidency of the Organisation from Uzbekistan.

Shri Rajnath Singh expressed India's concern over the situation in Ukraine and said that New Delhi supports negotiations between Russia and Ukraine to end this conflict. "The humanitarian catastrophe in and around Ukraine worries India. We have increased our support for the International Committee of the Red Cross's (ICRC) and other UN agencies' efforts to offer humanitarian aid, he said.

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