India and Pakistan join Shanghai Cooperation Organization

"Of course, we are able to do much more than we are doing now", he said. Amidst the ongoing India-Pakistan chill, Modi called for coordinated and strong efforts to fight terror and radicalisation, particularly recruitment, training and financing, giving a veiled message to Islamabad.

Modi further said terrorism is one of the chief violators of human rights and values. He expressed confidence that SCO would give a hard push to fight terrorism.

Xi also stressed the need to develop the Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar corridor, one of the six components of Beijing's One Belt, One Road project.

China proposed that the SCO draw up a five-year outline for implementation of the Treaty on Long-term Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation, Xi said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the two countries should work to "appropriately" manage their differences, the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement online.

Along with India, Pakistan has also joined the SCO as a full member state.

Nonetheless, the two leaders shared an informal meeting on the sidelines of the summit - their first tete-a-tete for 17 months - but avoided discussing political issues.

"For connectivity initiatives and for success and approval of the projects, sovereignty and regional integrity must be respected while inclusivity and sustainability are essential", Modi said.

Pakistani President Nawaz Sharif and Indian counterpart Narendra Modi reportedly shook hands and exchanged greetings late yesterday at the opening of the SCO meeting, although New Delhi said that no formal bilateral meeting between the two was planned.

China's State media today reported that Xi only held talks with PM Modi, as well as with leaders of Tajikistan and Turkmenistan and the King of Spain who is in Astana for a world expo held alongside the SCO summit.

The SCO member states represent about 45 per cent of the world population which accounted for 25 per cent of the world's GDP which itself speaks about the enormous potential the region had in store and enhancement in its membership would be definitely beneficial for all, he noted.

Prime Minister Modi also held bilateral meetings with other leaders including Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

India is also keen on deepening its security-related cooperation with the SCO and its Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS) which specifically deals with issues relating to security and defence.

"Military solution is not worth to discuss. Russian Federation and Shanghai Cooperation Organization believe in political solution".

Sharif, in his address, congratulated India for joining the SCO.

In addition to the final Astana Declaration, the SCO leaders have signed 10 other documents, including a convention on combating extremism and a declaration on the joint fight against worldwide terrorism.