Rajnath Singh highlights challenges of globalisation at SCO meeting

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on Saturday. Rajnath Singh began his address by greeting Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov and the people of Uzbekistan on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India. Rajnath Singh spoke on a diverse range of issues ranging from trade to terrorism. Here are the significant points of Rajnath Singhs' speech.

Importance of economic cooperation

The Defence Minister while highlighting the importance of economic cooperation said, "Economic cooperation is the foundation of cementing the future of our peoples and ensuring them better life. It is of critical importance to us." He added, "Unilateralism and protectionism have done good to none. In this context, India remains committed to a transparent, rules-based, open, inclusive and non-discriminatory multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organisation at its centre." 

Challenges of globalization

Rajnath Singh asserted that the SCO must set the example for successful mutually beneficial cooperation. He said that even as the process of globalization has opened up immense opportunities for the growth of our countries, it has also brought to the fore challenges as well. Speaking about these challenges, he said, "These new threats are multidimensional, complex, and transnational in nature. What is worse, they have a disproportionately adverse impact on developing countries. Climate change, terrorism, endemic poverty and inequality etc. can only be defeated together, not alone." He said that the SCO needs approaches, which are inclusive, transparent and firmly anchored in multilateralism and successful multilateralism also needs adherence to core principles of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference and mutual cooperation.

Rajnath Singh on steps taken by India

Defence Minister stated that India is committed to providing an enabling economic ecosystem for partner countries to do business and also invest in India. He mentioned the steps taken by the Indian government to boost FDI. "Recently, we have announced relaxed FDI reforms, allowing 100% foreign investment in coal mining and contract manufacturing, eased sourcing norms for single-brand retailers and approved 26% overseas investment in digital media," he said. Rajnath Singh highlighted India's flagship 'Make in India' programme and said, "India has embarked on an ambitious ‘Make in India’s programme. There are ample opportunities for SCO countries to enter into collaborative joint ventures in India,  significant work has already been undertaken towards improving  ‘Ease of Doing Business’ in India."

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Defence Minister on terrorism and ways to deal with it

Rajnath Singh spoke about terrorism and how it disrupts the functioning of the global society. He said that SCO countries need to take strict action to deal with this menace. He said, "Terrorism continues to disrupt our societies and undermine our developmental endeavours. The only way to fight this scourge is to strengthen and implement, without exceptions or double standards, all existing international laws and mechanisms to combat terrorists & their enablers. It is important for SCO countries to come together to deal with this menace. I wish to congratulate Russia for successful holding the SCO joint military exercise ‘CENTER 2019’ in Orenburg aimed at evolving drills of the participating armies in the fight against terrorism." 

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