Xi, Modi Speak On Cooperation, Security At SCO Virtual Summit

(MNI) London - Wires carrying comments from Chinese President Xi Jinping, speaking at the virtual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Says that the group "should focus on practical cooperation, accelerate economic recovery". Says SCO nations "need to strengthen strategic communication and coordination, respect each other's core interests and concerns." Xi: "[SCO nations] need to formulate foreign policies independently," adding that "China willing to work with all parties to implement global security initiatives."

• Earlier, Indian PM Narendra Modi speaking at the same event warned of political instability on the subcontinent. Modi: "SCO should not hesitate to condemn countries that support terrorism...SCO should work for the welfare of the Afghan people, provide humanitarian aid...Afghan soil should not be allowed to be used to destabilise neighbourhood."
• This SCO summit will see Iran become a fully-fledged member of the group, further positioning the SCO as an eastern counterweight to the Western oriented G7.