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SCO summit: PM stresses on enhanced connectivity, says peace efforts in Afghanistan should be respected

PM stressed on more interconnected SCO block of countries.

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China's President Xi Jinping on Sunday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit officially kicked off in Qingdao, the picturesque coastal city of east China's Shandong province. Prime Minister  Modi attended the restricted session of the SCO as part of India's first participation in the summit as a full-time member of the organisation. India, along with Pakistan, became the full-time member during Astana summit in June 2017.After a restricted session, the Plenary session of SCO Summit 2018 kicked off which was attended by all members of the bloc. 

PM Modi in his SCO speech remembered the shared heritage of the countries. PM said that our ancestors overcame geographical barriers and connected with each other to forge cultural and trade ties . PM said in today's world, connectivity is extremely key. He mentioned several projects including that of development of Chabahar port to stress on India's role in enhancing connectivity. PM said connectivity is not only about building infrastructure but it also about connecting people. Modi said India is for enhancing people to people interaction between SCO countries. 

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.

PM said SCO countries only account for 6% of total travellers. It can be easily doubled, said PM Modi. He said a Buddhist festival and a SCO food festival will be organised in India. PM mentioned organic farming, dairy and animal husbandry among several other sectors where the SCO bloc of nations can work together. 

PM also mentioned the situation in Afghanistan and said that we have to ensure that the conditions owing to which the country's unity was under threat shouldn't be repeated. He said India would play an important role among the contact group which is there to help Afghanistan." Afghanistan is an unfortunate example of effect of terrorism. I hope the brave steps towards peace taken by President Ghani will be respected by all in the region", said PM Narendra Modi. 

He also outlined several tenents based on which SCO countries should operate.  PM in his speech that 25th SCO summit should have a fixed goal and look to achieve that. He floated the idea of forming a committe that can work to achieve a fixed goal in a timebound framework.

On Saturday, PM Modi held bilateral meetings with some leaders of the CO-member countries including Jinping. He had also met the Secretary General of the SCO Rashid Alimov. During meeting with Alimov, Modi said India looks forward to enriching the SCO with its active participation and working closely with other members of the bloc.

"This SCO Summit is special as this is India's first Summit as a full member. My talks with SCO Secretary-General, Mr Rashid Alimov were extremely productive," Prime Minister Modi tweeted.  "India looks forward to enriching the SCO with its active participation and working closely with other members," he said ahead of the opening of the two-day SCO summit. The SCO Secretary General said that India is contributing greatly to the organisation since it became a full member of SCO in 2017, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.  Alimov conveyed to Modi that the International Day of Yoga would be celebrated at the SCO Headquarters in Beijing on June 16. The SCO currently has eight member countries which represents around 42% of the world's population and 20% of the global GDP.

With Agency inputs 

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