Modi: Security is India's top priority

World
Europe

09:25

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked about the importance of coordinated efforts to counter terrorism and enhance connectivity without impinging on sovereignty while addressing the large-scale talks of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit (SCO) on Sunday.

Modi said that there are six dimensions to ensure comprehensive security in his country, which can be summed up in the English word "Secure", where "S" stands for "Security of citizens", "E" means "Economic development for all", "C" is connecting the region, "U" is uniting our people, "R" stands for "Respect for sovereignty" and "E" stands for "Environment protection".

On connectivity, Modi welcomed the new connectivity projects such as the SCO summit that are inclusive, sustainable and transparent.

June 9, 2018: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is gesturing before boarding an aircraft flying to east China's Qingdao to attend the annual Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, in New Delhi. /VCG Photo

"We are at the stage where our physical and digital connectivity is changing the definition of geography and this is the reason why the SCO is important for India."

The history of a region is the witness to the fact that connectivity barely means physical communication, the human side is equally important. Hence, people to people relations and exchanges of ideas should be of equal priority, Modi added.

This is the first time that India has participated in the SCO summit as a full member.

Modi also appreciated the efforts of the SCO cooperation which started under the presidency of China and aims at better mutual communication.

549km