Connectivity crucial but essential to respect sovereignty, regional integrity of member states: PM Modi at SCO Summit



News Desk, Barta24.com
photo: collected

photo: collected

  • Font increase
  • Font Decrease

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday placed significant emphasis on the importance of connectivity for the advancement of member states within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). PM Modi, in an apparent dig at Pakistan and China, called on member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to maintain respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity while pursuing connectivity initiatives.

"Strong connectivity is crucial for the progress of any region. Better connectivity not only enhances mutual trade but also fosters mutual trust. However, in these efforts, it is essential to uphold the basic principles of the SCO charter, particularly respecting the sovereignty and regional integrity of the Member States," PM said while chairing the SCO summit. Notably, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit concluded on Tuesday under India's presidency with Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually chairing the meeting of head of states.

As Iran has now become full member of SCO today, PM Modi stressed that enhancing connectivity is of paramount importance for the development of any region. PM Modi said, "Following Iran's membership in the SCO, we can work towards maximizing the utilization of the Chabahar Port."

"The International North-South Transport Corridor can serve as a secure and efficient route for landlocked countries in Central Asia to access the Indian Ocean. We should strive to realize its full potential," he added. While briefing media, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra on Tuesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the significance of connectivity for the progress and development of member states. In doing so, he also made it clear that while pursuing connectivity initiatives, it is essential to uphold the principles of respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"Prime Minister clearly said in his remarks that connectivity is important for SCO members states. But connectivity has to be respectful of sovereignty and territorial integrity. India's position on the BRI has been clear," Kwatra said when asked about any message to Pakistan or China on the issue of BRI and CPEC. After SCO Summit, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra in a special briefing said, "Iran is now a member. Belarus is set to become a full member by 2024. As of now, there are 14 other dialogue partners in SCO. There are also three observers. To our understanding, there are no more pending requests from members to become full SCO members as of now."

PM Modi called on member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to not hesitate to condemn countries that use cross-border terrorism as 'policy instruments' and shelter terrorists. "Some countries use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of their policies and give shelter to terrorists," Prime Minister Modi said adding that the SCO should not hesitate to criticise such countries and "there should be no double standards on terrorism."

Speaking on the PM Modi's call for cooperation against terrorism, the Foreign Secretary said that the SCO charter talks about cooperation against terrorism and modalities to fight the challenge. "The priority among the SCO member states to fight against the menace of terrorism is actually clearly spelled out in the Article 1 of the SCO Charter, which talks of the need for the SCO countries to come together to correct problems of terrorism, separatism and extremism," he said.

Kwatra added, "The Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) that is located in Tashkent, was essentially built to meet this charter objective of SCO. That is a forum that brings together the countries of the forum. What should be the modalities of SCO member states to fight this challenge, whether that is information exchange on specifics of terrorism, extremism and separatist problem, sharing assessments among the member states. And how exactly the SCO member states strengthen cooperation to fight these challenges". (ANI)

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

   

Netanyahu in fear of ICC arrest



International Desk, Barta24.com
photo: Collected

photo: Collected

  • Font increase
  • Font Decrease

Israel's attack on Gaza did not stop. The death procession is increasing every day under the orders of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Israeli army is not paying attention to the ongoing movement around the world. On the other hand, Tel Aviv is listening to the calls of pro-Palestinian world leaders.

Killing, torture and destruction are being carried out indiscriminately in violation of international law. The blockaded area is being gradually completed, including women and children. On the other hand, the world is not able to do anything about such activities in Israel.

But now it is known that the International Criminal Court (ICC) may issue an arrest warrant against the Prime Minister of Israel.

This is what the country's local media reported on Saturday (April 27). According to The New Arab, citing unnamed sources, Maariv newspaper reported that Netanyahu is under stress and panic over the threat of an ICC arrest warrant.

Not only Netanyahu, but also some of his prominent officials may receive this arrest notice, according to reports in the Israeli media.

According to Israeli media reports, the names of the country's Defense Minister Yoav Galant and Army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi will be included in the list. Senior government officials held an emergency meeting in Tel Aviv this week to discuss that possibility.

In the meantime, Netanyahu has spoken on the phone with international friends, especially US President Joe Biden, to prevent the arrest warrant. It is not clear when an arrest warrant may be issued, and it is not standard for courts to disclose such information.

But fears of an arrest warrant against Netanyahu were first aired on Thursday by British-pro-Israel commentator Douglas Murray in an opinion piece in the US tabloid New York Post.

A warrant could be issued within days, Murray wrote. Netanyahu will not immediately face trial. But it would be a major blow to the prime minister on the world stage and put pressure on Israel's allies and ICC members to act.

Earlier in an interview on Friday, Netanyahu wrote, "Israel's natural and self-defense rights are undermined, and this country will not accept any such efforts by the ICC under my leadership." Threats to seize military officers of the Middle East's only democracy and the world's only Jewish state are outrageous. We will never bow down to it.'

Senior Israeli officials are said to be concerned about what such a warrant would mean for military operations against Hamas in Gaza.

Israel's Channel 13 broadcaster quoted officials as saying they believed the tribunal would target policy makers rather than junior soldiers.

;

20 soldiers were killed in an explosion at an army base in Cambodia



International Desk, Barta24.com
Picture: Collected

Picture: Collected

  • Font increase
  • Font Decrease

An ammunition explosion at a military base on Cambodia's western border has killed 20 soldiers. Prime Minister Hun Manet said the explosion happened on Saturday afternoon.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said on Facebook that the explosion occurred at a military base in Kampong Speu province in western Cambodia.

He said, we are deeply shocked by this. However, the cause of the explosion is not yet known.

Expressing his condolences to the families of the slain soldiers, he said that the funeral expenses of the deceased would be paid.

;

Endangered hippos stranded in dry rivers in Botswana amid severe drought



International Desk, Barta24.com , Dhaka
photo: collected

photo: collected

  • Font increase
  • Font Decrease

African countries are suffering from severe drought. A herd of endangered hippos trapped in the mud of a dry reservoir in the drought-stricken African country of Botswana is at risk of dying.

South Africa has been hit by severe drought due to El Nino weather, AFP reported. Crops in the region are under threat, millions of people are starving. Several countries in the region have recently declared national disasters.

Herds of hippos become trapped in dried-up rivers near the vast wetlands of the Okavango Delta in northern Botswana.

Lesego Moseki, spokesman for the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) in Botswana's capital Gaborone, said the river system had dried up and the animals were in a compromised situation.

Botswana is home to the world's largest population of hippos living in the wild. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), there are approximately 2,000 to 4,000 hippos.

Moseki said hippos in Ngamiland (North West District) depend on water flowing through the Okavango Delta system. They are still investigating how many hippos died in the pools.

Hippos have thick but sensitive skin. They need to bathe regularly in water to avoid sunburn and they usually live in humid areas.

Without water they can become aggressive and approach villages. Local authorities have called for the hippos to be relocated to protected areas to avoid conflict with humans.

El Niño is a naturally occurring climate pattern usually associated with global warming, leading to drought in some parts of the world and heavy rainfall in others.

;

India has allowed onion export to 6 countries including Bangladesh



International Desk, Barta24.com, Dhaka
Photo: Barta24

Photo: Barta24

  • Font increase
  • Font Decrease

India has approved the export of 99 thousand 150 tons of onions to 6 countries including Bangladesh. Other countries are - United Arab Emirates, Bhutan, Bahrain, Mauritius and Sri Lanka.

This information was given on the website of the Government of India on Saturday (April 27).

It said onion exports were banned to ensure domestic supply due to lower kharif and rabi seasons in the country in 2023-24 compared to the previous year. This increases the demand in the international market. Indian agency National Cooperation Exports Limited (NCEL) exports onions to these countries. They procure onions from internal sources through e-platform at lowest price (L1). Then, on a 100% advance payment basis, the rates are negotiated and supplied to the agencies or government-designated agencies in the destination countries.

NCEL fixes the prices with the buyers taking into consideration the prices of the countries where onion is bought, international and domestic prices. Now the quotas are allocated according to the demand of the countries where onion export is allowed.

Maharashtra is the largest onion producer in India. They are the largest supplier of onions to NCEL for export.

Earlier, Bangladesh had sent a formal letter to the Indian government to allow the export of certain quantities of onion to reduce the price of onion in the country's market during the holy month of Ramadan.

In addition, the country's government has allowed the export of additional 2000 metric tons of white onion. These onions are mainly exported to Middle East and some European countries. Due to the high production cost of white onion, its price is relatively high.

India is the world's largest onion exporter. The country's government had imposed a ban on onion exports till March 31, 2024 in December last year to maintain supply in the domestic market. Later it was extended indefinitely. The new decision to export onions is good news for India's friendly countries.

;