Respect sovereignty, says Modi as Xi and Imran listen in at SCO meeting

Prime Minister says countries should respect territorial integrity, as border dispute with China continues and Islamabad tries to rake up Kashmir at international forums

Amid border tensions with China, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called upon all member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to respect one another’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. 

In an oblique reference to Pakistan’s design to internationalise the Kashmir issue, Modi also criticised attempts to bring bilateral issues on the SCO’s table.

“This is unfortunate that unnecessary efforts are being made to bring bilateral issues on the agenda of SCO, which violate the charter of the organisation and the Shanghai spirit,” the Prime Minister said, addressing the annual summit via video-conferencing.

Referring to India’s participation in strengthening connectivity among nations, Modi