“Connectivity initiatives should respect sovereignty, territorial integrity of all countries”: Jaishankar at SCO meet

Bishkek [Kyrgyzstan], October 26 (ANI): Addressing the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of Government meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgystan on Thursday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke at length on connectivity initiatives and said they should always respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries.
Jaishankar expressed India's eagerness to collaborate with fellow Member States in the pursuit of sustainable, mutually beneficial, and financially viable solutions.
"India is keen to partner with Member States for sustainable, mutually beneficial and financially viable solutions. As we strive to improve trade within the region, we need robust connectivity and infrastructure," Jaishankar said.
"India has accorded utmost priority to these domains in its own developmental journey, at the same time connectivity initiatives should always respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries," he added.
Jaishankar also drew the attention of fellow member States to the issue of mounting debts in the Global South resulting from 'opaque' initiatives. He pointed out that India's initiatives, such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and International North-South Transport Corridor, have the potential to promote economic stability in the region and avoid burdening countries with unsustainable debt.
He said, "We should bear in mind that the Global South should not be saddled with unviable debt arising from opaque initiatives. I am confident that the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and the International North-South Transport Corridor could become enablers in bringing economic prosperity to the region."
In light of global economic challenges, Jaishankar emphasized the need for closer cooperation within the SCO, especially in the context of economic recession, disrupted supply chains, and concerns about food and energy security.
"Today when the world is facing challenges, looming economic recession, broken supply chains, food and energy insecurity this calls for closer cooperation with the SCO. In this context, the centrality of the interests of Central Asian States plays a key role," he said.
"According to World Bank's latest update, India continues to show resilience against the backdrop of a challenging global environment. India's GDP growth forecast for FY 2023-24 is 6.3 per cent...Our total trade with SCO Members has shown massive growth, especially with Russia. It has grown in the last year, with all SCO Members, by 20 per cent...This has the potential to grow manifold," he added.
Jaishankar arrived in Bishkek on Wednesday for the 22nd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG) held under the chairmanship of Kyrgyzstan.
"Delighted to call on President Sadyr Zhaparov of Kyrgyz Republic.Conveyed the personal greetings of PM @narendramodi. Discussed cooperation in banking, energy, health and pharma, defence, agriculture and investments. Conveyed India's support for the successful Kyrgyz Presidency of SCO Council of Heads of Government," Jaishankar posted.
Jaishankar also met his counterpart from Kyrgyzstan Zheenbek Kulubaev and discussed a range of issues.
"Good to see my old friend FM Zheenbek Kulubaev in Bishkek. Spoke about strengthening India-Kyrgyz cooperation in the fields of trade and economy, development projects, health and education. Also exchanged views on Afghanistan, West Asia and connectivity," Jaishankar posted on X.
The October 25-26 meeting in the Kyrgyz capital city of Bishkek has been attended by the heads of governments of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, the Vice-President of Iran, and the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan.
"In Bishkek, the external affairs minister will also meet with his counterparts from other SCO member states and call on the country's top leadership," the MEA said.
SCO observer States including Belarus and Mongolia as well as guest states Turkmenistan also attended the meeting. (ANI)