Terrorism is a crime against entire humanity: Sushma Swaraj in SCO summit

Sochi, December 1: One of the most prominent faces among empowered women of India, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has again marked a powerful presence on a global platform. She has represented the Government of India at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s Heads of Government Summit in Sochi. During her speech, she has strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Along with that, she has touched several other important issues. Read here the important parts of her speech.

She asserted that challenges before the global economy continue to persist. A slowdown in the world economy accompanied with increasing tide of protectionism and policy uncertainties will require measures of matching proportions. In the background of sluggish economic growth in the world, India’s economic growth is expected to accelerate in the long-term.

Terrorism:

She has specially mentioned the threat of terrorism to global and regional security. She emphasized that there can be no justification whatsoever for any acts of terrorism. More importantly, she said we must reaffirm that terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group. It is a crime against the entire humanity. She urged all nations to work comprehensively to prevent the threat.

Digital Economy:

Recognizing the importance of innovation and the digital economy as a key factor in medium-and long-term economic growth, and global sustainable development, India intends to promote cooperation in the field of science and technology. She reaffirmed India’s readiness to implement the multilateral initiatives of the SCO Member States in this area for mutually beneficial partnerships in the region, accelerating new sources of economic growth.

Agriculture:

She mentioned agriculture as an important area of cooperation and SCO must continue to explore possibilities for intensification of cooperation in this field in areas as food security, adaptation of agriculture to climatic change, development & implementation of innovative agricultural technologies, joint projects in the field of livestock breeding, crop production & agricultural products processing.

India joined Shanghai Cooperation Organization as a full member in June 2017. This was the first Heads of Government Summit of the SCO that India had attended. Since 2005 India was an observer.