New Delhi, Nov 30: Asserting that terrorism is the biggest challenge the region is facing, India on Monday criticised Pakistan for using it as an “instrument of state policy”, and called upon the SCO to combat the menace collectively and enforce internationally recognised legal statutes to comprehensively eradicate safe havens, infrastructure and financial networks supporting terrorism.
In an address at the Council of Heads of Government meeting of the eight-member Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Vice President Venkaiah Naidu said the most important challenge faced by the region is terrorism, particularly cross-border terrorism, and that India remained concerned about threats emerging from ungoverned spaces as well.
“Terrorism is truly the enemy of humanity. It is a scourge we need to collectively combat. We remain concerned about threats emerging from ungoverned spaces and are particularly concerned about states that leverage terrorism as an instrument of state policy. Such an approach is entirely against the spirit and ideals and the charter of the SCO,” he said at the virtual meet hosted by India.
Naidu did not name Pakistan directly during his address. He said elimination of this threat will help the countries realise shared potential and create conditions for stable and secure economic growth and sustainable development. (PTI)
