SCO Summit : Connectivity with neighbourhood is India’s priority, says PM Narendra Modi

SCO Summit : Connectivity with neighbourhood is India’s priority, says PM Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said connectivity with the neighbourhood and in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) region was India’s priority as he stressed that his country was committed to extend full cooperation to a successful outcome of the Summit.

Speaking at the restricted session of the SCO Summit, Prime Minister Modi also floated the concept of SECURE: ‘S’ for security for citizens, ‘E’ for economic development, ‘C’ for connectivity in the region, ‘U’ for unity, ‘R’ for respect of sovereignty and integrity, and ‘E for environment protection.

‘We have again reached a stage where physical and digital connectivity is changing the definition of geography. Therefore, connectivity with our neighbourhood and in the SCO region is our priority,’ Modi said.

Also Read : Rahul Gandhi to host Congress iftar party after a gap of 2 years

It is for the first time an Indian prime minister is attending the SCO summit after India along with Pakistan became a full-fledged member of the grouping, jointly dominated by China and Russia.

Noting that only 6% of foreign tourists in India come from SCO countries, the prime minister said this can easily be doubled.

‘Increasing awareness of our shared cultures can help boost this number.We will organise a SCO food festival and a Buddhist festival in India,’ he said.

The SCO has eight member countries which represent around 42% of the world’s population and 20% of the global GDP.

Besides Modi, other leaders attending the summit include Chinese President Xi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain.

The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan became its members last year.