Terrorism among most serious threats to international peace & security: Ajit Doval at SCO NSAs meet

Terrorism and its financing are among the most serious threats to international peace and security, India's National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval has said.

Addressing the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) NSAs meet in New Delhi, he also said that connectivity remains a key priority for India. In his openening remarks, NSA Doval pushed for the inclusion of the Chabahar Port within the framework of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).

"Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and its financing are amongst the most serious threats to international peace and security. Any act of terrorism, regardless of its motivation, is unjustifiable," NSA Doval said.

Describing acts of terrorism as "unjustifiable", he called on all SCO members states to implement sanctions against global terrorist entities and fulfil their obligations enshrined in relevant anti-terrorism cooperation protocols including the UN Security Council resolutions.

NSA Doval also highlighted the importance of connectivity. He said that India was ready to cooperate on investing in and building connectivity in the region. At the same time, he pointed out that it was important to ensure that such initiatives are "consultative, transparent, and participatory" and "respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries".

India's approach was in sync with the SCO Charter for comprehensive and balanced economic growth for integration into the global economy and improvement of transit facilities, he pointed out.

"India is also committed to fulfilling its obligations under the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and for the inclusion of the Chabahar Port within the framework of INSTC," he added.

The SCO is a regional grouping having China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan as its members. Additionally, several other counties engage with the SCO as observers or dialogue partners.

India, which became a member of the SCO in 2017, holds the current presidency. The annual SCO Summit is scheduled to be held in Goa, India later this year. This would be preceded by the Defence Ministers' Meeting and the Foreign Ministers' Meeting.