Increasing radicalisation has emerged as the biggest threat to peace and security in the Asian region, Prime minister Narendra Modi said at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on Friday as he drew attention to the events in Afghanistan.

Addressing the plenary session of the hybrid session over video link, the PM said , “Today, we can see what is happening in Afghanistan. As SCO members it is a must for us all to ensure that there is no radicalisation and extremism on the rise there. There was a time when Afghanistan was a land of peace and prosperity. We must ensure that the country can connect with its ancient roots of peace, tolerance and harmony."

“Radicalisation was coming in the way of tapping the full economic potential of the region. The recent events in Afghanistan have underlined this challenge. We cannot deviate from the path of moderation,” he explained.

In an oblique reference to China’s belt road initiative, PM Modi said without naming the country that any “connectivity initiative cannot be a one-way street.”

He said it was important to ensure mutual trust and connectivity projects should be undertaken with due respect for the “territorial integrity of all countries."  This appeared to be a reference to the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor or CPEC which India doesn't recognise as it passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Such projects needed to be consultative, transparent and ensure the participation of all countries, he added.

PM Modi said India is committed to increasing its connectivity with Central Asia and added that landlocked Central Asian countries are likely to benefit immensely by connecting with the vast Indian market.

India has been actively participating in attempts to build the North-south corridor as well as the Chabahar port to ensure greater connectivity, he added.

Connectivity with the participation of all countries will help to bring nations closer to each other and ensure greater co-operation for trade and economic development amongst them, PM Modi explained.

He also stressed on the need to encourage talented youngsters towards science and rational thinking. "We can bring our start-ups and entrepreneurs together to move the innovative spirit towards making India a stakeholder in an emerging technology," PM Modi added.

The 21st annual summit of the SCO is being held in Tajikistan's capital Dushanbe. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is in Dushanbe to represent India at the summit.

The leaders of the member states are expected to hold extensive discussions on the Afghan crisis, its internal and external implications, and issues pertaining to regional security.

Today's SCO Summit meeting is the first that is being held in a hybrid format – in-person and virtual. Also, this is the fourth SCO Summit which India is attending as a full-fledged member of the grouping.

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