'Some countries' use terrorism as policy: Modi at SCO Summit
What's the story
Some countries are safe havens for terrorists, and they use cross-border terrorism as policy instruments, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday while virtually addressing the members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
He called on the SCO countries to stand against terrorism to establish regional and global peace. He added that the SCO shouldn't hesitate to criticize countries that promote terrorism.
Context
Why does this story matter?
India is hosting the SCO Leaders' Summit this year. PM Modi's virtual address was attended by Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, among others.
In the SCO's Council of Foreign Ministers' (CFM) Meeting in Goa in May, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said all the channels of financing terror activities must be blocked without distinction.
Twitter Post
Increase mutual cooperation to stop terror financing: PM Modi
#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), says "Terrorism is a threat to regional and global peace. We will have to fight against terrorism...Some countries use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of their policies and give shelter… pic.twitter.com/qOjYt3Juo5
— ANI (@ANI) July 4, 2023
Statement
PM Modi called for humanitarian aid to Afghanistan
Without naming any country, PM Modi said, "There should be no double standards on terrorism."
Concerning the situation in Afghanistan, he stated that Afghan soil shouldn't be exploited to destabilize its neighborhood and urged the SCO member countries to contribute to the welfare of Afghanistan.
In his address, Putin also mentioned Afghanistan, saying the SCO's priority should be countering terrorism and drug trafficking.
Quote
Support New Delhi declaration for international issues: Putin
Furthermore, Putin thanked PM Modi for organizing the summit and said that a lot of documents and decisions were prepared for the summit. "Russia supports the New Delhi declaration which gives a consolidated approach to international issues," he said.