PM Modi snubs China's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative for 'inclusivity'

Modi said India would like to extend all cooperation to the SCO and that the bloc gives India immense opportunities to enhance friendship with resource-rich Central Asian nations

In an oblique reference to China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday the mega connectivity projects must respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries and assured India’s full support to initiatives which ensure inclusivity.

In an address at the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in this port city, the Prime Minister also coined an acronym SECURE, which he explained: ‘S’ for security for citizens, ‘E’ for economic development, ‘C’ for connectivity in the region, ‘U’ for unity, ‘R’ for respect for sovereignty and integrity, and ‘E’ for environment protection.

Referring