October 17, 2024
3 mins read

India reiterates opposition to BRI at SCO meet

India is the only member nation at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to oppose the project…reports Asian Lite News

India once again declined to endorse China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) virtual summit on Tuesday, becoming the only member nation to oppose the project.

The summit, hosted by India, concluded with a declaration that reaffirmed support for the BRI from other member states, including Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

The declaration highlighted ongoing efforts to link the construction of the Eurasian Economic Union with the BRI, supported by all members except India.

Additionally, it emphasized the importance of increasing the use of national currencies in mutual settlements among interested SCO members, and underscored the significance of implementing the SCO Economic Development Strategy 2030.

This strategy prioritizes cooperation in areas such as the digital economy, high technology, and the modernisation of transport routes.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his opening remarks, stressed the need for stronger regional connectivity but emphasized that such efforts must respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states, as outlined in the SCO charter.

Modi’s statement appeared to reflect India’s longstanding concerns about the BRI’s impact on territorial integrity, particularly regarding China’s projects in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Despite India’s refusal to endorse the BRI, the declaration affirmed the member states’ commitment to socio-economic development, digital transformation, and modern infrastructure projects aimed at improving living standards across the SCO region.

The summit also addressed the situation in Afghanistan, calling for the establishment of an independent, democratic, and peaceful state, free from terrorism and drugs. Member states stressed that resolving the Afghan crisis is critical for maintaining stability in the broader SCO region.

‘Don’t look at CPEC through political prism’

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif indirectly sneered at India during his opening speech at the 23rd meeting of the Head of Governments of SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) held here on Wednesday.

Without naming India, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif spoke about the importance of CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) and advised New Delhi to stop looking at the partnership between Pakistan and China with regard to CPEC and CPEC-2 through a political prism.

“Pakistan-China economic partnership in CPEC and CPEC-2 holds massive regional importance and should not be looked at through the lens of political prism,” said PM Shehbaz Sharif during his opening speech at SCO meeting in Islamabad.

Even though PM Shehbaz did not call out India by name, the above-mentioned statement is an indirect jibe at India, which has been critical of Pakistan and China’s economic cooperation through CPEC and CPEC-2, the flagship project of China’s multi-billion dollar project under its One Belt One Road (OBOR).

PM Shehbaz also called on the SCO member states to join together and realise the opportunity Afghanistan presents to the regional states for economic and development cooperation, insisting that joint efforts are required to ensure that Afghanistan soil is not used against any neighbouring state by any element to spread terrorism.

“Afghanistan needs to work towards forming a government system which represents inclusivity. The SCO member states should come together to ensure cooperation with Afghanistan and ensure that its soil is not used to spread terrorism among neighbours by any elements,” he said.

Indian Minister for External Affairs (MEA) S. Jaishankar is among the prominent leaders present in Islamabad for the SCO meeting. Jaishankar landed in Pakistan on Tuesday and was seen rubbing shoulders with Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif during the SCO family photo while both had a comfortable and warm handshake at the dinner hosted by the government for all SCO member states.

It is pertinent to note that India has been critical of China and Pakistan and has repeatedly raised serious questions and concerns over CPEC projects, slamming Islamabad for allowing China to increase its presence in disputed regions of Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

ALSO READ: India’s September Russian oil imports rise 11.7%

Previous Story

10 Indian flights receive bomb threats in 48 hours

Next Story

China, Pak reaffirm position on Kashmir

Latest from -Top News

BNP ramps up poll demand

Chief Adviser Yunus had earlier promised elections in December 2025, but the timeline has since been pushed back first to February 2026 and then to June 2026, fuelling suspicion and dissatisfaction among

Saudi backs India’s strategic outreach

In a series of engagements, the Indian delegation met Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State Adel Al-Jubeir and other senior officials. A high-profile Indian all-party parliamentary delegation, led by BJP MP Baijayant Jay

India clears stealth fighter project

New execution model paves way for private sector involvement in India’s ambitious stealth aircraft programme; Army showcases next-gen drone warfare systems. In a landmark decision bolstering India’s defence self-reliance, Defence Minister Rajnath

ASEAN lauds India’s firm stance on terrorism

The ASEAN Secretary-General reaffirmed the bloc’s resolve to deepen collaboration with India—a comprehensive strategic partner—in security and counter-terrorism efforts. The Indian all-party Parliamentary delegation, led by Janata Dal (United) MP Sanjay Jha,

Ex-SEBI chief cleared by Lokpal

The anti-corruption ombudsman ruled that the complaints lacked credible evidence and were based largely on assumptions, speculation, and unverifiable claims. The Lokpal of India has dismissed all complaints against former Securities and
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Sikh woman killed in ‘targeted incident’ in Canada

The incident comes just days after 18 year-old Indian-origin Sikh

Indian tech companies employ over 2L Americans

The Indian technology companies have contributed over $1.1 billion and