NEW DELHI: The Dushanbe Declaration on the 20th anniversary of SCO saw the member-states calling for an inclusive government in Afghanistan, with representatives from all ethnic, religious and political groups of Afghan society.
The Declaration by the SCO, which includes as member-states India and Pakistan, also called for greater defence cooperation and underscored the importance of holding regular joint military counter-terrorism command and staff exercises to enhance cooperation in combating “armed formations of international terrorist organisations and to improve counter-terrorism methods.”
Like on previous occasions, India was the only member-state to not endorse China’s BRI in the joint Declaration.
On Afghanistan, the SCO said it supported the emergence of Afghanistan as an independent, neutral, united, democratic and peaceful state, free of terrorism, war and drugs.
The group is also said to be considering the establishment of the SCO Counter-Terrorism Centre in Dushanbe as a separate permanent body to counter security threats. While condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, the Declaration said member-states were convinced that an important focus of the global counter-terrorism struggle should be to deprive terrorism of its social foundations, including eliminating poverty, unemployment and illiteracy.
“They will step up their own efforts to prevent the preparation and financing of acts of terrorism in their territories and deny terrorists safe havens, enhance cooperation to identify, prevent and suppress the activities of organisations and individuals involved in terrorism, separatism and extremism,” it said.
While India remains reluctant to participate in any anti-terror exercise in Pakistan, it signed on the Declaration that called on member-states to continue to conduct joint anti-terrorism exercises, including the upcoming Pabbi Anti-Terror – 2021 exercise in Pakistan. India has so far not confirmed its participation in the exercise.
The Declaration by the SCO, which includes as member-states India and Pakistan, also called for greater defence cooperation and underscored the importance of holding regular joint military counter-terrorism command and staff exercises to enhance cooperation in combating “armed formations of international terrorist organisations and to improve counter-terrorism methods.”
Like on previous occasions, India was the only member-state to not endorse China’s BRI in the joint Declaration.
On Afghanistan, the SCO said it supported the emergence of Afghanistan as an independent, neutral, united, democratic and peaceful state, free of terrorism, war and drugs.
The group is also said to be considering the establishment of the SCO Counter-Terrorism Centre in Dushanbe as a separate permanent body to counter security threats. While condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, the Declaration said member-states were convinced that an important focus of the global counter-terrorism struggle should be to deprive terrorism of its social foundations, including eliminating poverty, unemployment and illiteracy.
“They will step up their own efforts to prevent the preparation and financing of acts of terrorism in their territories and deny terrorists safe havens, enhance cooperation to identify, prevent and suppress the activities of organisations and individuals involved in terrorism, separatism and extremism,” it said.
While India remains reluctant to participate in any anti-terror exercise in Pakistan, it signed on the Declaration that called on member-states to continue to conduct joint anti-terrorism exercises, including the upcoming Pabbi Anti-Terror – 2021 exercise in Pakistan. India has so far not confirmed its participation in the exercise.