At SCO, India refuses to back China’s Belt & Road Initiative

QINGDAO: India was the only country on Sunday in the eight-nation Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) grouping which opposed China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative with PM Narendra Modi asserting that any mega connectivity project must “respect sovereignty and territorial integrity” of the countries.

PM Narendra Modi shakes hands with Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain at Qingdao, China. Reuters

Qingdao, June 10

India was the only country on Sunday in the eight-nation Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) grouping which opposed China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative with PM Narendra Modi asserting that any mega connectivity project must “respect sovereignty and territorial integrity” of the countries.

A declaration signed by leaders of the member countries, including Modi, at the end of a two-day summit of the bloc said Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have been “reaffirming” their support for China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

In his address, Modi, in a clear reference to the BRI, said any mega connectivity project must respect sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries and assured that India will support projects that ensure inclusivity. “Connectivity with the neighbouring countries is India’s priority. We welcome the connectivity projects which are sustainable and efficient and which respect territorial integrity and sovereignty of the countries,” he said.

India has been critical of the BRI, the pet project of Chinese President Xi Jinping, as the $50 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is part of the BRI, passes through PoK.

India says it cannot accept a project that ignores its core concerns on sovereignty and territorial integrity. Modi, in presence of Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, said India’s commitment to connectivity projects was reflected in its involvement in the International North South Corridor project, development of the Chabahar port and Ashgabat agreement.

Meanwhile, PM Modi and Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain exchanged pleasantries after a press conference by leaders. — PTI

BLOC Calls for global front to fight terror

The SCO resolved to fight terrorism and extremism with a renewed vigour in the next three years and called for unified global counter-terrorism front under the coordination of the UN. The declaration said the SCO will work to stop the spread of terrorist ideology and eliminate factors and conditions that facilitate terrorism