The Pakistani Defence Minister (DM) Khawaja Muhammad Asif skipped the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Conclave hosted by India in New Delhi on Friday. Instead, Islamabad was virtually represented by Mail Ahmed Khan, the Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Defence Affairs at the significant summit.
Accountability for Countries Harbouring Terrorists
In the meeting held under the chairmanship of Indian DM Rajnath Singh in New Delhi, India took an indirect dig at Pakistan by exhorting SCO member countries to fix accountability on those who are harbouring and funding terrorist activities. Singh said there is a need to work collectively toward eradicating terrorism in all forms.
The Indian DM asserted that peace and prosperity cannot exist alongside acts of terrorism. In his remarks at the meeting, he further indirectly slammed Pakistan by saying that a country sheltering terrorists threatens others and hinders socio-economic progress.
Addressed the SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting in New Delhi.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) April 28, 2023
India believes in maintaining peace & security based on UN Charter provisions.
Exhorted for concerted efforts to ensure win-win cooperation for great gain. https://t.co/6PSMTmzIfy pic.twitter.com/VA9AIW7TMe
India Committed to Maintaining Peace and Security
At the meeting, India asserted its commitment to preserving the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. India stressed the importance of SCO in promoting defence cooperation. It said that the country is committed to the defence capacity building of SCO members for shared security interests.
Echoing India’s belief in maintaining peace and security based on the UN Charter, Singh called upon SCO members to shift from the mindset of “great game of zero sum, win-lose paradigm” to “great gain from win-win paradigm.” The DM highlighted the strong cultural and civilizational linkages between the member countries and said that these ties have enriched the countries economically and culturally.
#WATCH | Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane says, "The Council of Defence Ministers of SCO met successfully. We are fortunate that there was a joint communique & protocol which was signed by all Defence Ministers today..."
— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2023
"....All the Member countries were unanimous in their… pic.twitter.com/e73S445xOf
Common Consensus on Eradication of Terrorism
As the meeting ended, the members achieved a common consensus on dealing with terrorism and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, among other issues, and signed a joint communique and protocol.
Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane said that all member states unanimously expressed concern that terrorism must be condemned and eradicated in all forms.
It is the first time India is presiding over the organization since acquiring SCO membership in 2017.
Singh also met Russian DM General Sergei Shoigu, Kyrgyz DM Lt. General Bekbolotov Baktybek Asankalievich, and Uzbek DM Lt. Gen. Kurbanov Bakhodir Nizamovich on the sidelines of the summit.
The meeting was attended by the defence ministers of SCO members China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. The defence ministers of Iran and Belarus — two observer countries in the organization — also participated in the conference.