Modi’s veiled message to Pakistan on terror at SCO

Astana (Kazakhstan), June 9 (IANS) Sharing the round table with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif amidst the ongoing India-Pakistan chill, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called for coordinated and strong efforts to fight terror and radicalisation, particularly on recruitment, training and financing -- in a veiled message to Islamabad.

"Terrorism is violation of human rights and basic human values. The fight against terrorism is an important part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Whether it is the issue of radicalisation, recruitment of terrorists, their training and financing, unless we take coordinated and strong efforts, it is not possible to find a solution," Modi said, addressing a day-long meeting of the SCO to which India was admitted as a full member along with Pakistan on Friday.

On Thursday night, Modi and Sharif exchanged pleasantries at a cultural function hosted by Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev. The informal interaction came 17 months after Modi's surprise stop over in Lahore to greet Sharif on his birthday and attend a pre-marriage function at his residence on December 25, 2015.

Hailing the SCO's efforts in the fight against terror, Modi expressed the hope that the eight-member Eurasian bloc will give a new direction and strength to this fight.

Noting that India may have gained membership only today, Modi said its relationship with the SCO countries were historical. This, he said, would give new dimension to the relations among the SCO countries.

The Prime Minister also said that energy, education, agriculture, defence, security, minerals, capacity building, development partnership, trade and investment are the main drivers of the SCO. India's membership "will take our relations with SCO countries to a new level", he said.

Modi pointed out that this was a historic day in the history of SCO and India is determined to cooperate in a proactive and positive manner.

In his speech that immediately followed Modi's, Sharif said, "We fully endorse the SCO's resolve to fight the twin evils of terrorism and extremism."

"Pakistan has fought its own fierce war in the fight against international terrorism and with the grace of God it has been able to achieve a turnaround in the security and economic situation in our country," Sharif said.

Sharif also congratulated India on joining the SCO and said the organisation was now truly continental, linking East Asia, West Asia, Asia Pacific and the Atlantic region.

The SCO, which includes China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, now has India and Pakistan as its newest members. India has been a observer to the SCO since 2005.