New Delhi/Qingdao: Despite committing to several connectivity initiatives, India on Sunday was also the only nation at the Shanghai Coopera-tion Organisation (SCO) summit in the Chinese city of Qingdao which refused to endorse China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). In a veiled but clear reference to BRI, also known as the One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that mega-connectivity projects “must respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity” of countries and assured India's full support to initiatives which ensure inclusivity.
A declaration issued at the end of the two-day SCO summit — signed by leaders of the eight member-countries, including Mr Modi — said Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have been “reaffirming their support for the Belt and Road Initiative” of China.
With the SCO also resolving to fight terrorism, separatism and extremism and calling for a unified global counter-terrorism front under the coordination of the United Nations, Mr Modi on Sunday termed Afghanis-tan as an “unfortunate example” of the effect of the extremism and terrorism. Later, in a much-watched moment, Mr Modi and Pakistan President Mam-noon Hussain exchanged pleasantries after a press conference by the leaders of the eight-nation bloc. The two leaders shook hands and exchanged pleasantries at the end of the media briefing addressed by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
India has been severely critical of the Belt and Road Initiative, the pet project of President Xi Jinping, as the $50-billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is a part of BRI, passes through PoK. India says it cannot accept a project that ignores its core concern on sovereignty.
In his address, in the presence of President Xi, Mr Modi said India’s commitment to connectivity projects was reflected in its involvement in International North-South Corridor project, development of Chabahar port and the Ashgabat agreement.
SCO members condemn terror
Despite committing to several connectivity initiatives, India on Sunday was also the only nation at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in the Chinese city of Qingdao which refused to endorse China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative.
“Connectivity with neighbouring countries is India’s priority. We welcome connectivity projects which are sustainable and efficient and which respect territorial integrity and sovereignty of countries,” Mr Modi said. He elaborated on the word “secure”, saying it stood for security, economy, connectivity, unity, respect (for national sovereignty and territorial integrity), and the environment.
“The member states strongly condemn all forms of terrorism and consider it necessary to make efforts to promote the creation of a unified global counterterrorism front,” the Qingdao declaration said.
