India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, took a jibe at Pakistan during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on Wednesday, asserting that cross-border activities marked by extremism and separatism are unlikely to foster bilateral trade or improve relations between nations.
Jaishankar, speaking at the ongoing summit in Islamabad, highlighted the importance of peace and stability for development and growth. “It is axiomatic that development and growth require peace and stability. And as the [SCO] Charter clearly outlines, this means being firm and uncompromising in countering the ‘three evils’. If cross-border activities are characterised by terrorism, extremism and separatism, they are hardly likely to encourage trade, energy flows, connectivity or people-to-people exchanges,” he said.
The minister underscored that the SCO’s primary objective of combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism is more relevant now than ever. He added that globalisation and the rebalancing of powers are modern realities that SCO member states need to address collectively.
“It requires honest conversations, trust, good neighbourliness and a reaffirmation of commitment to the SCO Charter. The organisation must remain steadfast and uncompromising in its efforts to combat the ‘three evils’,” Jaishankar urged.
In his national address at the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting, Jaishankar stressed that cooperation must be rooted in mutual respect, sovereign equality, and territorial integrity. “We must base our cooperation on genuine partnerships, not unilateral agendas. The SCO cannot progress if we selectively adopt global practices, particularly in areas like trade and transit.”
He also highlighted India’s global initiatives and efforts towards sustainable development, including the International Solar Alliance, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, Mission LiFE (which advocates sustainable living), promotion of Yoga, the Global Biofuel Alliance and the International Big Cat Alliance.
Reflecting on current global challenges, the minister noted that the world is going through “difficult times”, referencing “two major conflicts” with global repercussions, as well as the developing world’s struggle to recover from COVID-induced setbacks, rising debt and other challenges. He emphasised that solutions lie in strengthening mutual trust, friendship and fostering regional cooperation.
Jaishankar congratulated Pakistan on its presidency of the SCO this year and extended India’s full support for its success.
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