PRESS RELEASE : Visit of Gen. (Dr.) V.K. Singh (Retd), Minister of State for External Affairs 12/15/2015

PRESS RELEASE : Visit of Gen. (Dr.) V.K. Singh (Retd), Minister of State for External Affairs

Minister of State (MOS) for External Affairs Gen. (Dr.) V.K. Singh (Retd) attended the Heads of Government Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China from 14-15 December 2015.

Addressing the Plenary Session of the SCO Meeting this morning, MOS noted that international terrorism had emerged as the most serious threat and called for zero tolerance towards terrorism and closer coordination between SCO members to counter this menace.

MOS added that India’s fast growing market provides an immense economic opportunity for SCO members. India’s energy requirements can be met by projects within the SCO bringing on board the interests of energy exporting, transit and importing nations. On its part, India can bring to the region its strengths in financial management, pharmaceuticals, services such as IT and healthcare as well as capacity building.

MOS also called for the SCO to work towards improving regional transportation and communication networks through mutual consultation and sharing of benefits to create a network of physical and digital connectivity that extends from Russia’s northern regions to the shores of Indian Ocean.

On the sidelines of the meeting, MOS also held bilateral meetings with the CEO of the Afghan Government Mr Abdullah Abdullah and the SCO Secretary General Mr D. Mezentzev.

Beijing
15 December 2015

Address by Minister of State for External Affairs at the Meeting of the Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (December 15, 2015)