SCO heads hold 20th summit in virtual format
This was the first SCO Summit held in Virtual Format and third meeting that India and Pakistan participated after becoming full members in 2017.
By IAR Desk:
November 10,2020: The leaders of the states if Shanghai Cooperation Organisation held their 20th Summit via video conferencing, because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Meeting was chaired by the President of the Russian Federation Mr. Vladimir Putin. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the Indian delegation. Other SCO Member States were represented by their Presidents – China’s Xi Jinping, Kazakhstan’s Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyzstan’s , Tajikistan’s Emomali Rahman, and Uzbekistan’s Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Pakistan which had officially joined the Organisation with India in 2017 was represented by Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Besides, the Secretary General of the SCO Secretariat and the Executive Director of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure also participated in the summit.
This was the first SCO Summit held in Virtual Format and third meeting that India and Pakistan participated after becoming full members in 2017.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address, highlighted the imperative of a reformed multilateralism to meet the expectation of a world suffering from the social and financial after-effects of the pandemic. India, as a non-permanent member of the UNSC, beginning from 1 January 2021, will focus on the theme of ‘reformed multilateralism’ to bring about desirable changes in global governance.
He also reiterated India’s firm belief in regional peace, security and prosperity and raising voice against terrorism, smuggling of illegal weapons, drugs and money-laundering.
Prime Minister underlined India’s strong cultural and historical connect with the SCO region and reiterated India’s firm commitment towards strengthening connectivity in the region with initiatives like International North-South Transport Corridor, Chabahar Port and Ashgabat Agreement and respecting the sovereignty of member states. He also extended full support to observing the 20th anniversary of SCO in 2021 as the “SCO Year of Culture” and spoke of India’s own initiatives to hold the first SCO exhibition on Shared Buddhist Heritage to be organized by National Museum of India, besides other events.
In what is considered as a veiled reference to Pakistan, the Prime Minister said “It is unfortunate that there are unnecessary attempts to bring bilateral issues in the SCO agenda, which is in violation of SCO Charter and Shanghai spirit.”
He elaborated on India’s vision of a “Aatma Nirbhar Bharat” (Self-reliant India) in the post-pandemic world that could prove to be a force multiplier for the global economy and the economic progress of the SCO region, pointing out that India had supplied Covid-19 aid to 150 countries around the world.
Modi congratulated President Putin for organizing the meeting despite challenges and constraints arising due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and congratulated Tajik president Emamoli Rahmon for assuming the chairmanship of SCO next year and assured full cooperation from India.
India will be hosting the meeting of SCO Council of Heads of Government on November 30, 2020 in virtual format.
Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Mongolia which have observer status were also present.
