?Countries sponsoring terrorism must be held accountable?: Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls for global efforts to eliminate terrorism at SCO

The Heads of Member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) have condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

In the meeting held at Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan today, SCO leaders urged the international community to strengthen global cooperation in efforts against terrorism without politicisation and double standards and also to press for consensus regarding the adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. A joint-declaration to this effect was also issued at this juncture.

The Heads of SCO Member states including Prime Minister Narendra Modi today addressed the Plenary Session of SCO Summit. In his address, PM Modi called for the united efforts from the global community to eliminate the terrorism from its root.

He said that all humanitarian forces should have to unite to counter terrorism. Prime Minister said that we should make our society free from terrorism. Prime Minister also called for International Conference Against Terrorism. He said that nations supporting, promoting and funding terrorism should be held responsible and made accountable for their actions.

In the meeting, the Member states of SCO stressed that there can be no justification for any acts of terrorism and extremism.

They also considered it important to implement comprehensive measures to more effectively counter terrorism and its ideology, to expose and eliminate various factors and conditions that facilitate terrorism and extremism.

They noted the unacceptability of interfering in the domestic affairs of states under the pretext of countering terrorism and extremism, as well as the unacceptability of using terrorist, extremist and radical groups for mercenary purposes.

The SCO Member States reiterated intention to focus on expanding and deepening cooperation in trade, finance, investment, transport, energy, agriculture, innovation, cutting-edge technology, etc.

(With inputs from AIR)