New Delhi, July 28 (UNI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday reaffirmed India's resolve to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, telling his fellow Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries that peace and prosperity cannot coexist with terrorism.
"Terrorism is the most serious threat to international peace and security. Any act of terror and support to such acts, including cross border terrorism, committed by whomsoever, wherever and for whatever motives, is a crime against humanity," Singh said in an address to SCO defence ministers' meeting in the Tajikistan capital Dushanbe.
The defence minister also emphasised the importance of trust in the security sphere and its building among countries in the region.
"The challenge today is not just one of concepts and norms, but equally of their sincere practice. The leading voices of the world must be examples in every way," Singh said.
"India accords high priority to the consolidation of trust in the security domain within SCO as well as strengthening ties with SCO partners bilaterally on the basis of equality, mutual respect and understanding," he added.
The minister also stressed India's vital stakes in the Eurasian region and reiterated its resolve to work within the SCO framework for helping create and maintain a peaceful, secure and stable region.
"It must be appreciated that the geo-strategic location of India makes it both a Eurasian land power as well as a stakeholder in the Indo-Pacific. Our intent and aspirations are therefore focused towards prosperity and development of the entire region,"' he said.
Singh also reminded his audience about the new and emerging threats to security such as the COViD-19 pandemic that has affected nations, civil societies and citizens in multiple ways.
"This is a warning sign of how non-traditional security challenges like pandemics, climate change, food security, water security and associated societal disruptions can impact national and international landscape.
Non-traditional threats and a new technology have combined to form a whole new spectrum of sub-conventional security issues," he said.
Singh reiterated India's readiness to partner with fellow SCO Member States to develop joint institutional capacities that respect individual national sensitivities and yet generate a spirit of cooperation to create contact and connectivity between people, societies and nations.
On the sidelines of the SCO meet, Singh met his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu and both ministers reaffirmed the strong and enduring defence partnership between the two countries.
He also met Defence Minister of Belarus, Lieutenant General Viktor Khrenin.
UNI SRJ ASN 1843