New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs on Monday said whether Pakistan has to join India’s initiatives at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting, is up to it and backed this with SCO charter’s provision.
Addressing a virtual press briefing following the 19th SCO Council of Heads of Government, Secretary (West) in MEA Vikas Swarup said, “As far as whether Pakistan is going to join the initiatives concern, it is entirely up to them. SCO charter does provide a provision that one country cannot hold up cooperation in areas and allows member countries which are interested to take it forward with the exclusion of one country that is opposing it.”
He reiterated that India considers SCO as an important regional organisation to promote cooperation in the areas of peace, security, trade, economy and culture. “We are committed to deepening our cooperation with SCO by playing a proactive, positive and constructive role in the organization,” the MEA Secretary stated.
“We hope India’s initiatives will not be helpful for SCO member states in overcoming the economic challenges of the pandemic but will also signal our continued commitment to strengthening the organization,” Swarup added.
Swarup further said the SCO charter specifically prohibits bilateral issues from being raised SCO forums.
