
TIA WEB DESK
India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has reaffirmed his country committment to evolution of a global security architecture based on open, transparent, inclusive, rules-based and anchored in international laws.
Addressing the Combined Meeting of Defence Ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, SCO, Commonwealth of Independent States CIS and Collective Security Treaty Organisation, CSTO Member States in Moscow today, Mr Singh said, peaceful, stable and secure region of SCO member states, which is home to over 40 per cent of global population, demands a climate of trust and cooperation, non-aggression, respect for international rules and norms, sensitivity to each other’s interest and peaceful resolution of differences.
He stressed on the need for institutional capacity to deal with both traditional and non-traditional threats above all, terrorism, drug-trafficking and transnational crime.
The Defence Minister said, India unequivocally condemns terrorism in all forms and manifestations, and condemns its proponents.
He said, India values the works of SCO Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure. Mr Singh said, India lauds RATS’ recent work in cyber domain to prevent spread of extremism.
He said, the adoption of anti-terror measures by the SCO Council to counter extremist propaganda and de-radicalization is a significant decision.
Mr Singh said, India is thankful to Russian Federation for organising the annual anti-terror exercise Peace Mission, which has contributed to building trust and sharing of experience among Defence Forces.
The Defence Minister said, we are, however, far from achieving security and growth for all and security situation in Afghanistan remains a concern.
He said, India will continue to support efforts of people and Government of Afghanistan for an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled inclusive peace process.
Mr Singh said, India is also deeply concerned about the situation in the Persian Gulf. He said, India has vital interests and links of civilisation with all States in the Gulf.
The Defence Minister conveyed condolences to families of those perished from the COVID Pandemic and sympathies to those whose lives were devastated.
He said, it reminds the countries again that mankind must unite forgetting differences to prevent and mitigate forces of nature, that do not recognise national distinctions.
Mr Singh said, as we mourn our losses, let us not forget tens of millions of martyrs and sacrifice of an entire generation suffering destruction and agony in the Second World War or Great Patriotic War, as our Russian brothers and sisters recall those years.
He said, memory of the War teaches us of the follies of aggression of one State upon another, which brings destruction to all.
He said, our forefathers, including those from India and former Soviet Union, who made supreme sacrifices to resist aggression and expansionism from the then Military States.
The Defence Minister said, India’s participation in the Victory Parade on 24th June this year in Moscow was homage from India to the unparalleled contribution of Soviet people to free this world of Fascism, Nazism and their revanchist passion.
He said, this year marks the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War as well as the formation of the United Nations, which underpins a peaceful world, where international laws and sovereignty of States are respected and States refrain from unilateral aggression on another.
Mr Singh congratulated Government and people of Russia for successfully managing the Pandemic. He also applauded Russian scientists and health workers for spearheading the Sputnik V vaccine.