TIL Desk/National/Qingdao/ Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for respect for sovereignty, economic growth, connectivity and unity among the members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). In his address at the Plenary session of the Asian Summit SCO, PM Modi coined an acronym ‘SECURE’ which he explained: ‘S’ for security for citizens, ‘E’ for economic development, ‘C’ for connectivity in the region, ‘U’ for unity, ‘R’ for respect of sovereignty and integrity, ‘E’ for environment protection.
Talking about the importance of linking the region with transport corridors, PM Modi said connectivity does not only mean geographical link but it should ensure people-to-people contact. “India welcomes any such project which is inclusive, sustainable and transparent. And which respects member states’ sovereignty and territorial integrity,” PM Modi said, in a veiled dig at China’s ‘One Belt One Road’ (OBOR) project.
India has been stridently opposing the project as a part of it passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The Prime Minister said connectivity was key to economic development of the region. “We have again reached a stage where physical and digital connectivity is changing the definition of geography. Therefore, connectivity with our neighbourhood and in the SCO region is our priority,” PM Modi said.