India’s role essential in peace and stability in Central Asia, Afghanistan: Vladimir Norov

India’s role is essential in maintaining peace and stability in the Central Asian region which translates into a peaceful SCO region. Secretary-General of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Vladimir Norov said this at his farewell meet in Beijing. He specially mentioned India’s role in countering terrorism in the region, most importantly due to evolving situation in Afghanistan. He said India has an important contribution in maintaining peace and stability in Afghanistan and in humanitarian support to the war-torn country post-US withdrawal.

Highlighting India’s constructive role in SCO, Mr. Norov said that India actively participates in organizational activities including the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of SCO (RATS SCO). He said India participates in military exercises and peace missions to strengthen security cooperation. India assumed chairmanship of Council of Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of SCO in October this year for one year. As chairman, India also organized a two-day seminar on cyberspace security for the member states. This Indian initiative was an effort to enhance the collaboration among RATS SCO member states to counter the misuse of the internet by terrorists, separatists, and extremists.

2022 will be an important year for India at SCO as, for the first time, it will assume the presidency of SCO, after Uzbekistan, for the period 2022-2023 which will culminate with the SCO Summit to be hosted by the Indian side in 2023. The SCO Summit is the meeting of the Council of Heads of States (HOS) and along with the Council of Heads of Government (HOG) makes two most important dialogue mechanisms among SCO member states.