New Delhi: Referring to development in Afghanistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said extremism and radicalization are the biggest threats to global peace and harmony. 

While addressing Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit online, Mr Modi referred to recent development in Afghanistan. 

He stated that India is firm on regional stability and cooperation. He asked SCO member states to ensure to work closely together on issues of connectivity and trust. Pakistan and China also the member of SCO. 

"Today, we can see what is happening in Afghanistan. As SCO members it is a must for us all to ensure that there is no radicalisation and extremism on the rise there," PM Modi said. 

Read: 21st SCO Summit: Highlights of PM Modi’s speech

"If we take a look at history, we will find that Central Asia has been a bastion of moderate and progressive cultures and values. Sufism flourished here over the centuries and spread throughout the region and the world. We can still see them in the cultural heritage of this region," the Prime Minister said.

The SCO was formed in June 2001 with Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as members. India and Pakistan became full members in June 2017. The SCO says its main goals are strengthening mutual trust and neighbourliness among the member states. Iran has joined recently, the total members of SCO become nine. 

Prime Minister has said that India is helping increase connectivity in Afghanistan via Iran's Chabahar Port, and such projects should be done by "respecting each nation's sovereignty". He also hinted that China’s ambitious project China-Pakistan Economic Corridor or CPEC, which India doesn't recognise as it passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

“SCO member states must ensure that connectivity projects must not be affected by the situation on the ground. Of course, all this must be done respecting each nation's sovereignty," Mr Modi said.