Excellencies,
Namaskar!
At the outset, let me congratulate President Rahmon on his successful
Presidency of the SCO Council. The Tajik Presidency has managed the
organization efficiently in a very challenging global and regional
environment. In this year of the 30th anniversary of Tajikistan's
independence, on behalf of India, I extend my heartiest congratulations and
best wishes to all Tajik brothers and sisters, and to President Rahmon.
Excellencies,
This year we are also celebrating the 20thanniversary of SCO. It is a
matter of happiness that new friends are joining us on this auspicious
occasion. I welcome Iran as a new Member State of the SCO.I also welcome
the three new Dialogue Partners - Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Qatar. The
expansion of SCO shows the growing influence of our organization. SCO will
become stronger and more credible with new Members and Dialogue Partners.
Excellencies,
The 20th anniversary of the SCO is also a suitable occasion to think about
the future of the SCO.I believe that the biggest challenges in this area
are related to peace, security and trust-deficit and the root cause of
these problems is increasing radicalization. Recent developments in
Afghanistan have made this challenge more apparent. SCO should take an
initiative on this issue.
If we look at the history, we will find that the region of Central Asia has
been a bastion of moderate and progressive cultures and values. Traditions
like Sufism have flourished here over the centuries and spread throughout
the region and the world. We can still see their influence in the cultural
heritage of this region. On the basis of this historical heritage of
Central Asia, SCO should develop a common template to fight radicalization
and extremism.
In India, and almost in all SCO countries, there are moderate, tolerant and
inclusive institutions and traditions associated with Islam. SCO should
work to develop a strong network between them. In this context, I
appreciate the useful work being done by SCO-RATS. We expect our SCO
partners to actively participate in the calendar of activities that has
been built for India’s Presidency of SCO-RATS.
Excellencies,
Fighting radicalization is not only necessary for regional security and
mutual trust, but it is also necessary for the bright future of our younger
generations. To compete with the developed world, our region has to become
a stakeholder in emerging technologies. For this we have to encourage our
talented youth towards science and rational thinking.
We can promote this kind of thinking and innovative spirit by connecting
our young entrepreneurs and start-ups. With this approach, India organized
the first SCO Start-Up Forum and Young Scientists Conference last year. In
the previous years, India has successfully used technology in its
development journey.
Whether it is technologies like UPI and Rupay Card to increase financial
inclusion or digital platforms like our Aarogya-Setu and COWIN in the fight
against COVID, we have voluntarily shared these with other countries as
well. We will be happy to share these open source technologies also with
our SCO partners and to organize capacity building activities for this.
Excellencies,
The vast economic potential of this region has also remained untapped due
to radicalization and insecurity, be it mineral wealth or intra-SCO trade,
to take full advantage of them, we have to emphasize on mutual
connectivity. The role of Central Asia in history has been that of a
connectivity bridge between major regional markets. This was also the basis
of the prosperity of this region. India is committed to increasing its
connectivity with Central Asia.
We believe that land-locked Central Asian countries can benefit immensely
by connecting with India's vast market. Unfortunately, many connectivity
options are not open to them today due to lack of mutual trust. Our
investment in Iran's Chabahar port and our efforts towards the
International North-South Corridor are driven by this reality.
Excellencies,
Any initiative on connectivity cannot be a one-way street. The connectivity
projects should be consultative, transparent and participatory to ensure
mutual trust. In this regard, respect for the territorial integrity of all
countries should be implicit. Based on these principles, SCO should develop
suitable norms for connectivity projects in the region.
With this we will be able to restore the traditional connectivity of this
region and only then connectivity projects will work to connect us, not to
increase the distance between us. For this effort, India is ready to make
any contribution from its side.
Excellencies,
One of the main reasons for the success of SCO is that its core focus has
been on the priorities of the region.My suggestions on radicalization,
connectivity and people-to-people relations will further strengthen this
role of SCO. Before I conclude, let me once again thank our host, President
Rahmon.
Despite the challenge of this hybrid format, he has organized and
successfully conducted this Summit. I also extend my best wishes to
Uzbekistan as the next SCO Chairman and assure India's full cooperation.
Thank you!
DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of PM’s speech. Original speech was delivered in Hindi.
