India, China Pledge to Counter-Terrorism in SCO Meeting

Beijing, May 22: India and China have pledged to work together to enhance their cooperation on anti-terrorism issues and ensure stable bilateral relations.

As per an official press release by Indian embassy to China, the 13th meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Security Council Secretaries is underway, where issues including the regional security and priority of security cooperation among the SCO members were discussed on priority.

Chinese State Councilor Zhao Kezhi on Monday met leading officials from six other member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) including India to discuss practical cooperation on law enforcement security.

The participants exchanged views on ways to strengthen the SCO cooperation in the fight against terrorism, drug trafficking and transnational organized crime.

On the sidelines of the meeting Deputy, national security adviser of India Rajinder Khanna had a one-on-one talk with Zhao where the latter assured China would work with India to strengthen high-level mutual visits and improve the cooperation mechanisms.

While Khanna said India stands ready to work with China to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and enhance cooperation on law enforcement security.

The two officials discussed the security situation in Afghanistan as well as other topical issues of regional and international importance. They also reviewed the preparations for the forthcoming SCO Summit in Qingdao on 9-10 June 2018 and the signing of outcome documents in the field of security.

The Deputy NSA further reiterated the invitation to the Chinese Minister of Public Security to visit India at an early date.

This was India's first official participation in the SCO meeting after gaining full-time membership in the South- Asian organisation in June 2017. As per Xinhua News Agency, Pakistan's National Security Adviser Naseer Khan Janjua also met Zhao as they pledged to counter terrorism. The meeting comes ahead of scheduled annual SCO summit in Shanghai from June 9-10 which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.