India says SCO 'must adapt to changing global landscape, reform its working methods'

NEW DELHI

India said on Tuesday that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) must adapt to the "changing global landscape" and develop an "expanded" agenda, as well as "reform" its work methods.

New Delhi "will contribute positively and fully to these objectives," Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said at the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the SCO member states in the Russian capital of Moscow, according to an official transcript of his speech released by his ministry.

The SCO includes 10 member states, two observer states, and 14 dialogue partners.

"As the (SCO) organization continues to evolve, India strongly supports its reform-oriented agenda," he said, referring to the SCO centers that address organized crime, drug trafficking, and cybersecurity.

However, he said, “As the organization becomes more diverse, the SCO must be more flexible and adaptable. To this end, the long-delayed decision to make English an official language of the SCO must be prioritized.”

Jaishankar said the global economic situation is “particularly uncertain and volatile currently.”

“Supply-side risks have been aggravated by demand-side complexities. There is consequently an urgent requirement to de-risk and diversify…For that to happen, it is essential that this process be fair, transparent, and equitable,” he said.

He recalled Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had proposed the SCO Civilizational Dialogue Forum at the bloc’s summit of leaders in China’s northern city of Tianjin in September.

“Facilitating greater interaction between our intellectuals, artists, sportspeople, and cultural icons will pave the way for deeper understanding across the SCO,” he said.

He added that the world should “display zero tolerance towards terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.”