Political convenience no alibi for backing terrorists: India

Zhengzhou China India on Tuesday said political convenience can no longer be an alibi for backing terrorism and called for closer coordination between the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation SCO to fight the scourgeInternational terrorism has emerged as the most serious threat to our peaceful and pluralistic societies Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh said while addressing the meeting of heads of government of the SCO grouping in this Chinese cityCloser coordination between SCO member states and zero tolerance towards terrorism will go a long way to address this menace Political convenience can no longer provide an alibi for backing terrorist groups ideologically financially or through material support he saidThe SCO is an intergovernmental organisation founded in Shanghai on June 15 2001 by six countries China Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Russia Tajikistan and UzbekistanAmong other things the SCO aims to enhance regional security through the Regional AntiTerrorist Structure RATS and build connectivityIndia and Pakistan were given full membership of the organisation at its plenary held in the Russian city of Ufa in July this yearOne of our most important goals remains a stable and peaceful Afghanistan free of external interference Singh said in Tuesdays meeting also attended by Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz SharifThis is absolutely essential to advance peace stability and prosperity in the regionSingh also said India looked forward to the speedy completion of its full membership so that we can involve ourselves fully in SCOs programmes and activities at the earliestAccording to him there was enormous scope to push forward SCOs economic and developmental agendaIndias fast growing market provides an immense economic opportunity especially for the relatively smaller economies of Central Asia Indias energy requirements can be met by new and more ambitious energy projects within the SCO bringing on board the interests of energy exporting transit and importing nations the minister saidHe said India on its part could bring to the region its strengths in financial management especially microfinance pharmaceuticals services such as information technology and healthcare as well as capacity buildingThe SCO should create a facilitating environment for trade and investment We should bring down barriers to trade and enhance links between our businesses especially our small and medium enterprisesWe can also work together on issues of food security and agriculture he saidHe said that though the past few years have witnessed a steady growth of new modes of connectivity in the region progress in this regard was still limitedAs we move ahead we should invest in improving regional transportation and communication networks through mutual consultation and sharing of benefits he saidOn this basis we can create new networks of physical and digital connectivity that extends from Russias northern regions to the shores of Indian Ocean The International North South Transportation Corridor is an important step in that directionSingh said a young and dynamic India constituting onesixth of humanity which is growing at nearly 8 percent per year is joining the SCO to usher in a new phase of friendship with our partners