India's SCO membership will bring regional prosperity : Modi

Addressing the SCO summit, Modi put emphasis on connectivity- "seamless flow of goods, services, capital ad people among ourselves"-as well as the need for strong rail, road and air links with rest of the world.

"...Connectivity  among the countries of the region is crucial to our economic prosperity....What we need is seamless flow of goods, services, capital and people among ourselves," he said.

"Our region also needs to nurture strong rail, road and air links with the rest of the world," Modi said.

"Within SCO, India will be a productive partner in building strong trade, transport, energy, digital and people to people links."

"Our decision to join the international North South Transport Corridor, the Chabahar Agreement, and Ashgabat Agreement reflects this desire and intent," he said.

Uzbekistan President  Ismail Karimov and other leaders of the member states of SCO were present during Modi's speech.


Referring to the threat of terrorism  looming large all over the world, the PM asserted that the  partnership will protect "our societies from the threats of radical ideologies of hate, violence and terror."

"India will unite with SCO countries to work towards this goal...And, we will adopt zero tolerance and a comprehensive approach in fighting terrorism at all levels."

Modi said with this goal in view, "a stable, independent and peaceful Afghanistan is not just a sincere desire of each Afghan."

Describing India's engagement with SCO as a "landmark" event, he said India's "historic linkage" to central Asia and the Eurasian region was centuries-old and it was not only geography, but societies at both ends "have been enriched by links of culture, cuisine and commerce."

"They form the bed rock of our modern day relationships with Russia, China and the countries of Central Asia.".

Modi said with  India as its full member, SCO boundaries would stretch from the Pacific to Europe; and from the Arctic to the Indian Ocean.

"We would represent forty percent of humanity and over a billion youth."

Modi said while India would  benefit from SCO's strengths in energy, natural resources and industry, In turn, India's strong economy and its vast market could drive economic growth in the SCO region.

"India's capacities in trade, investments, information and communication technology, Space, S&T, agriculture, health care, small and medium scale industry can bring wide spread economic benefit to the SCO countries." he said.

"I am confident that India's engagement with all SCO members will help us build a region"

The PM suggested that India and other SCO nations can partner to develop human resources and institutional capacities in the region.

"Since our priorities match, our development experiences would be relevant to your national needs."

Modi said with the signing of the Memorandum of Obligations later in the day the process of India's membership of the SCO will be formalised.

"We are indeed grateful to the SCO Member States and its leaders for their overwhelming support for India’s membership of the SCO."

"I also welcome Pakistan as the new member of the SCO and Belarus as a first time Observer to this body," he said.