Modi Sees SCO as Strategic "Opportunity" for India

(MENAFN) Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi positioned the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as a strategic "opportunity" for India during Monday's summit, even as Washington imposed devastating 50% tariffs on Indian goods over Russian oil purchases.

The economic bloc encompasses roughly 24% of Earth's landmass and houses 42% of global population, with member nations representing approximately one-quarter of worldwide GDP and witnessing trade volumes surge nearly 100-fold over two decades.

Modi emphasized the SCO represents "security and cooperation" for India while addressing the 25th leadership summit in Tianjin, a northern Chinese port city. His remarks coincided with fresh US trade penalties that took effect last week.

New Delhi has pushed back, calling tariffs "unfair."

India maintains that "strong connectivity not only boosts trade but also opens doors to growth and trust," Modi declared to assembled leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Our effort was to take SCO beyond governments. To connect common people, young scientists, scholars and start-ups as well," Modi said.

The Indian leader outlined his nation's reform agenda, stating India advances under the principles of "reform, perform and transform." "We are consistently pursuing wide-ranging reforms, which are creating new opportunities for both national development and international cooperation. I warmly invite you all to be a part of India's development journey."

Modi's China visit marks his first in seven years, arriving Saturday for summit proceedings and bilateral discussions with Xi. He scheduled Monday talks with Putin as well.

Addressing security concerns, Modi declared that "security, peace, and stability are the basis of the development of any country," warning: "Terrorism, separatism, and extremism are big challenges in this path."

"Terrorism is not just a challenge to the security of a country, but a common challenge for all entire humanity. No country, no society, no citizen can consider itself safe from this. That is why India has emphasized unity in the fight against terrorism," he added.

The Tianjin Declaration, released by India's External Affairs Ministry, "strongly condemned" the April 22 attack at Pahalgam tourist destination in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 people.

The joint statement also "strongly condemned" the March 11 Jaffer Express attacks and May 21 Khuzdar incidents in Pakistan's Balochistan province.

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