Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called for
greater cooperation among the SCO countries in combatting terrorism, promoting
economy, alternate energy and healthcare as he outlined India’s
commitment to peace and economic prosperity in the region.
Addressing the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit here,
Modi gave a template, ‘HEALTH’, for strengthening cooperation.
“Our vision is to strengthen the healthy cooperation among us. Using the
letters of HEALTH, we can make a good template for cooperation.
“H for healthcare cooperation, E for economic cooperation, A for alternate
energy, L for literature and culture, T for terrorism-free society and H for
humanitarian cooperation,” Modi said.
SCO region and history, civilization and culture of India are interconnected
for thousands of years, he said. “Our shared area is in great need of
better connectivity in the modern era,” he said.
Initiatives like International North South Transport Corridor, Chabahar
Port, Ashgabat Agreement, clarify the focus of India on connectivity, Modi
said.
“Respect for sovereignty, regional integrity, good governance,
transparency, practicality and reliability should be the basis of connectivity
initiatives. The importance of people-to-people contact with physical
connectivity is not less,” he said in an apparent reference to China’s
massive infrastructure development under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
(CPEC) which traverses through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. India opposes the USD
60 billion CPEC as it is being laid through PoK.
It has been two years since India became a member of the SCO. India has
contributed positively in all the activities of the SCO, he said.
India’s e-tourist visa facility is available to most of the SCO member
countries, he said.
“On the website of India Tourism, a new 24*7 helpline will be launched in
the Russian language for the convenience of tourists from the SCO
countries,” he said.
“Our vision is to strengthen the healthy cooperation. Using the letters of
HEALTH, we can make a good template for cooperation.
“H for healthcare cooperation, E for economic cooperation, A for alternate
energy, L for literature and culture, T for terrorism-free society and H for
humanitarian cooperation,” Modi said.
There is a need to emphasise on the healthcare work plan. India would be happy
to share its experience in telemedicine and health tourism, he said.
“Economic cooperation is the basis of our people’s future. Unilateralism
and protectionism has not benefitted anyone. We need an open and all-inclusive
trade policy at the WTO so that the interests of every countries specially the
developing ones can be take care of,” Modi said.
India is committed to make a favourable environment for the economic
cooperation between the SCO member countries, he said.
India is committed to tackle the danger of climate change. Today, India is
the sixth largest producer of renewable and fifth largest producer of
solar power, the Prime Minister said.
International Solar Alliance (ISA) is India’s joint initiative whose objective
is to mobilise funds for reducing the cost of energy, he said.
“We welcome the SCO member states in the initiative. India is also ready
to share its experience in generating the additional sources of energy,” Modi
said.
“Introduction of each other’s literature to our youths will strengthen our
relations. Ten top composition of India’s literature will be translated in the
language of SCO member countries,” he said.
Literature and culture provide our societies a positive activity, specially
they stop the spread of radicalisation among the youths in our society.
To combat the menace of terrorism, countries will have to come out of their
narrow purview to unite against it, Modi said.
“Countries sponsoring, aiding and funding terrorism must be held
accountable,” he said at the summit which was also attended by Pakistan
Prime Minister Imran Khan.
India has been playing the role of first responder in the event of disaster and
humanitarian cooperation, he said.
“We must pay special attention to the topic of Disaster Resilient
Infrastructure,” Modi added.
Modi arrived in the Kyrgyz capital on Thursday for the two-day SCO summit. The
SCO is a China-led 8-member economic and security bloc with India and Pakistan
being admitted to the grouping in 2017.