During the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting convened in Astana under the chairmanship of Kazakhstan, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane underscored the imperative of adopting a stringent stance against terrorism in all its manifestations. The gathering, attended by heads of defence departments from SCO member states, the Secretary General, the Director of the Executive Committee of the Organisation’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), and Belarus’ Minister of Defence, culminated in a joint declaration.
This declaration, among other resolutions, endorsed the advancement of the concept of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’, inspired by the ancient Indian philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. Leading the Indian delegation, Defence Secretary Aramane delivered a statement during the ministerial deliberations and engaged in bilateral discussions with counterparts from SCO member countries, addressing various facets of mutual collaboration.
Emphasizing India’s unwavering dedication to upholding peace, stability, and security within the SCO region, Aramane reiterated New Delhi’s longstanding advocacy for a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism at the United Nations. Additionally, he shed light on India’s vision of ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region’ (SAGAR), particularly pertinent to the Indo-Pacific arena.
Within the meeting’s framework, Defence Ministers from all SCO member states endorsed a protocol, signifying collective commitment to shared objectives. Furthermore, a statement from the Kazakh Defence Ministry outlined plans to enhance cooperation among military-historical museums, aimed at amplifying awareness about the armed forces’ endeavors across SCO member nations.
