PM’s remarks at Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit 2020

• First of all, I would like to congratulate President Putin for the efficient leadership of the SCO, and for hosting this summit despite the challenges and obstacles posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• I am happy that despite these painful circumstances, we can still pursue a broad and forward looking agenda of cooperation and integration under SCO.
• Excellencies, This is an important year for India in SCO. We are going to convene a summit level meeting “SCO Council of Heads of Government” for the first time.
• A broad agenda has been drafted for this meeting, with special attention to economic cooperation. We have proposed the making of a Special Working Group on Innovation and Startups to share our rich experience in the startup ecosystem.
• We have also proposed a Working Group on Traditional Medicine, so that the knowledge of traditional and ancient medicine is spread across SCO countries and the headway in contemporary medicine can complement each other.
• Excellencies, India firmly believes that with the combination of economic multilateralism and national capacity building, SCO countries can escape from the crisis of pandemic led economic losses.
• We are moving ahead with a vision of a “Self-reliant India” in the post-pandemic world. I believe that “Self-reliant India” will prove to be a Force Multiplier for the global economy and will accelerate the economic progress of the SCO region.
• Excellencies, India maintains close cultural and historical ties with the SCO nations. Our ancestors kept alive this shared historical and cultural heritage with their untiring and persistent contacts.
• Steps such as the International North South Transport Corridor, Chabahar Port, Ashgabat Agreements, reflect India’s strong resolve towards connectivity.
• India believes that to further deepen Connectivity, it is necessary to carry forward with the core principles respecting each other’s sovereignty, and Territorial Integrity.
• Excellencies, The United Nations has completed its 75 years. But despite many achievements, the basic goal of the United Nations is still unaccomplished.
• The world struggling with the pandemic led economic and social suffering is expected to bring about radical changes in the UN systems.
• It is said in our scriptures “Parivartanme Sthirmasti” – Change is the only permanency. Beginning 2021 India will participate in the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member. Our focus will be on bringing possible changes in global governance process.

(The views expressed are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the position of the organisation)