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No Modi-Imran pull-aside at SCO as New Delhi strongly raises terror 

WION
Bishkek, Bishkek, KyrgyzstanWritten By: Sidhant SibalUpdated: Jun 14, 2019, 05:30 PM IST
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File photo: PM Narendra Modi. Photograph:(Twitter)

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Ahead of the Summit India had clarified no structured bilateral talks will take place between the two leaders but speculation was rife about a pull aside. Many see this as a strong message to Islamabad that it needs to take strong and verifiable action against terrorist on its territory. 

The 19th Shanghai cooperation organisation (SCO) summit ended on Friday with India seeking global cooperation on the issue of terror and raising issues such as trade, connectivity. 

Speaking at the SCO summit, Prime Minister Modi sought concerted action against the countries that support, abet and provide financial assistance to terror.

The summit saw no interaction or exchange of pleasantries between Indian Prime Minister and Pakistani Prime Minister. There were seven occasions when both the leaders came across each other starting with informal dinner hosted by Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov and Gala Concert on Thursday to five occasions on Friday. These were photo opp in the morning, followed by restricted format meetings, extended format meeting, final photo opp and lunch.

Ahead of the Summit India had clarified no structured bilateral talks will take place between the two leaders but speculation was rife about a pull aside. Many see this as a strong message to Islamabad that it needs to take strong and verifiable action against terrorist on its territory. 

Modi batted for improving healthy cooperation in the region with an acronym--H.E.A.L.T.H. H stands for healthcare cooperation, E for economic cooperation, A for alternate energy, L for literature, T for terrorism free society, H for humanitarian cooperation, Modi said.

Strongly speaking against protectionist policies, PM said unilateralism and protectionism haven't helped anyone and said "we need a rule-based transparent non-discriminatory open and inclusive multilateral trading system centered around WTO".

This is an important statement given both China and India are facing the heat from the White House on trade. US President has been calling India a ''tariff king'' and asked New Delhi to reduce tariffs on Harley Davidson motorbikes.

India also talked about connectivity projects such as Chabahar port and air corridor connecting Kabul, Kandahar to New Delhi and Mumbai but said connectivity projects should be "transparent". "inclusive" and respect the "territorial integrity" of countries.

China-Pakistan Economic corridor which is part of China's one belt one road initiative passes through Pakistan occupied Kashmir, which is an Indian territory occupied by Pakistan and New Delhi has made its concern known to Beijing.

New Delhi also reiterated its stand on the Afghan peace process saying it continues with "Afghan-led, Afghan-owned & Afghan-controlled" policy.