Modi hits out at China at SCO summit
NEW DELHI/BEIJING: Coming faceto-face with Chinese president Xi Jinping, albeit virtually, for the first time since the Sino-India border row began in early May, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday delivered a stern message during his address at the SCO summit that there should be respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity among the nations.
NEW DELHI: In a stern message to China and Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said all member nations of the SCO should respect each others’ sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The remarks by Modi at a virtual summit of the eight-member Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) came in backdrop of the Sino-India border row in eastern Ladakh, as also Islamabad’s attempt to internationalise Kashmir issue and indulge in cross-border terrorism against India.
The Prime Minister delivered the message in the presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, who were among the heads of governments attending the summit, chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Referring to India’s participation in strengthening connectivity among nations, Modi said, “India believes that to enhance connectivity it is important that we move forward while respecting one another’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
In his address, the Prime Minister also hit out at those making repeated attempts to “unnecessarily” bring bilateral issues to the SCO in violation of the grouping’s foundational principles, in an oblique reference to Pakistan.
Modi also called for “reformed multilateralism” that reflects global realities of the present times and discussed topics such as expectations of all stakeholders, contemporary challenges and human welfare. “The United Nations has completed its 75 years. But despite many successes, the basic goal of the United Nations is still incomplete. The world struggling with the economic and social suffering of the epidemic is expected to bring radical changes in the system of the UN,” PM Modi said.