SCO should work together to promote stability and prosperity in the region: Foreign minister S Jaishankar
Foreign minister S Jaishankar, without naming China, asked Beijing to strictly adhere to the principles of international law while respecting the territorial integrity of each other, and criticised the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) by stressing that such projects must not restrict participants from exercising their sovereignty.
«SCO should work together to promote stability and prosperity in the region by strictly adhering to the principles of international law, respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity of each other and encouraging economic cooperation,» Jaishankar said during his address at the SCO Heads of Governments meeting in Bishkek. «In this context, the centrality of the interests of Central Asian states plays a key role.
India is keen to partner with the Member States for sustainable, mutually beneficial and financially viable solutions.»
He was also categorical in expressing reservations against initiatives such as BRI that violates India's sovereignty passing through PoK while pitching for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
«To improve trade within the region, we need robust connectivity and infrastructure. Such initiatives should respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries,» he said.
«The Global South should not be saddled with unviable debt arising from opaque initiatives. The IMEC and the INSTC could become prosperity enablers.»
India shares deep civilizational ties with the people of this region.
The continuous movement of goods, ideas and people traversing the region has left indelible imprints on our customs, traditions, language and cuisine. These historical relationships should now
. Read more on economictimes.indiatimes.com
