During his address at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the importance of respecting national sovereignty in global connectivity projects.
“Connectivity that bypasses sovereignty loses both trust and meaning,” PM Modi said, raising India’s concerns about regional unilateral infrastructure projects.
PM Modi's remarks come amid ongoing debates over international projects such as China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which India chose to stay out of, citing issues related to territorial integrity, particularly in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a large-scale infrastructure development programme launched by China in 2013. The initiative aims to connect Asia with Europe and Africa through a network of railways, highways, ports, airports, and other infrastructure projects with the intent to promote trade, investment, and economic growth in participating countries.
PM Modi also shared India's vision for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and said it is guided by three pillars -- Security, Connectivity and Opportunity.
Regarding the second pillar of connectivity, PM Modi highlighted the importance of connectivity projects.
{{/usCountry}}Regarding the second pillar of connectivity, PM Modi highlighted the importance of connectivity projects.
{{/usCountry}}"India has always believed that strong connectivity not only boosts trade but also opens doors to growth and trust. With this in mind, we are working on initiatives like the Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor. This will help us improve connectivity with Afghanistan and Central Asia."
PM Modi on Pahalgam attack at SCO Summit
The Prime Minister also presented India's strong stance against terrorism, calling out "some countries" for their open support of terrorism and reaffirming that such "double standards" are not acceptable.
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He said that the Pahalgam terror attack was an open challenge to every country that believes in humanity, and urged SCO members to stand united in their fight against terror.
PM Modi urged for zero tolerance for cross-border terrorism and further redefined the grouping's focus, noting that its foundation rests on three key pillars -- security, connectivity, and opportunity.