Benaulim, Goa: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar Friday called for support from fellow foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) for India’s proposed “New Delhi declaration” and four other joint statements that call for cooperation on issues like de-radicalisation in the region.
Speaking at the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers’ meeting, which saw the attendance of Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and others, Jaishankar said India has proposed a “New Delhi declaration” as an SCO Summit Declaration.
He also said New Delhi has floated four joint statements on cooperation on de-radicalisation strategies, promotion of millets and sustainable lifestyles to address climate change and digital transformation.
“I seek your support in the timely finalisation of these documents for approval by our leaders at the SCO summit,” he added.
The SCO Summit, which is expected to see the attendance of heads of state from China and Pakistan, will be held in Delhi later in July.
The Indian foreign minister, without naming countries, also called for channels of terror financing to be “seized and blocked”, adding that combating terrorism is one of the original mandates of the SCO. He noted that the situation in Afghanistan “remains at the centre of our attention”.
The SCO comprises eight countries — China, Pakistan, India, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Iran and Belarus are on the heels of joining as permanent members too.
India currently holds the one-year presidency of the SCO. Foreign ministers from member states are in Benaulim, Goa, to attend the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers’ meeting.
Also read: SCO foreign ministers’ meet in Goa: What to expect & what 1-yr presidency means for India
‘English as 3rd official language of SCO’
During his remarks, Jaishankar also called on support from fellow foreign ministers to include English as the third official language of the SCO.
“I also seek the support of member states for the long-standing demand of India to make English the third official language of the organisation,” said Jaishankar, adding that this will help take the work of the SCO to a “wider global audience”.
Currently, Russian and Mandarin are used as official and working languages in the organisation, and official documents are also prepared in these two languages.
The Indian foreign minister also sought cooperation from SCO member states on the reform and modernisation of the organisation, as well as on the admission of Iran and Belarus as permanent members.
He added that four new dialogue partners — Myanmar, Kuwait, Maldives and the UAE — are expected to sign MoUs for their association with SCO Friday in Goa.
(Edited by Richa Mishra)