PM Modi talks tough on terrorism at regional meet SCO

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit virtually on Tuesday. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping will also be present at the summit. It will be Putin's first appearance at an international event since crushing the Wagner mutiny in late June.

Addressing the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, PM Modi said "SCO has emerged as a key platform for the peace, prosperity and development of Eurasia".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned international terrorism and stressed that nations "need to work together to stop the financing of terrorism" at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). "Terrorism is a threat to regional and global peace. We will have to fight terrorism. Some countries use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of their policy and provide shelter to terrorists. The SCO should not hesitate to criticize such countries. The SCO countries should condemn it. There should not be a double standard on terrorism,” PM Modi said 

“We would love to share India's AI-based language platform Bhashini with everyone to remove language barriers within the SCO. It can become an example of digital technology and inclusive growth. The SCO can become an important voice for reforms within the UN and other global institutions. I am delighted that Iran is joining the SCO family as a new member,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the SCO summit.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will also attend the event. Pakistan, which has been globally isolated for harboring terrorists, will also participate in the summit. The fact that Pakistan and China have expressed their desire to attend the summit is one of the main highlights of the meeting.

According to a statement from Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning, Beijing will make important remarks during the summit and together with other leaders will determine the direction of the organization's future growth.

SCO members are expected to discuss issues such as climate change, digital inclusion, regional security, Afghanistan and terrorism.

The theme of the SCO meeting is SAFE. According to sources, S stands for security, E for economic development, C for connectivity, U for unity, R for respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and E for environmental protection.