October 16, Islamabad – While attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Pakistan, India's External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, delivered a strong message on Thursday. Addressing the summit, Jaishankar indirectly targeted Pakistan, emphasizing the need for all countries to combat terrorism, separatism, and extremism.
Without directly naming Pakistan, Jaishankar criticized the host nation, stating, "Trust is essential for better relations. If there is no trust, there is nothing. Nations must respect borders, and if terrorism persists, there can be no trade." His remarks highlighted the need for Pakistan to address cross-border terrorism as a prerequisite for improved relations and economic cooperation.
During the summit, the SCO's trade and economic agenda was discussed. According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, Jaishankar underscored the importance of adhering to the core principles of the SCO Charter, stating that progress can only be achieved with a steadfast commitment to these principles. He stressed that peace and stability are crucial for development and growth. Cooperation, he added, must be based on mutual respect and sovereign equality, recognizing territorial integrity and sovereignty. "It cannot be built on unilateral agendas, but on genuine partnerships," Jaishankar stated, warning that selective adherence to global norms, particularly in trade, would hinder SCO’s progress.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Jaishankar further highlighted global challenges like climate change, supply chain disruptions, and financial instability, which are obstructing growth. He reaffirmed that the SCO’s primary goal is to counter terrorism, separatism, and extremism, emphasizing that this objective has become even more critical in the present day.
Earlier on Tuesday, upon his arrival in Pakistan, Jaishankar was formally welcomed by Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, during which both leaders exchanged handshakes. Before the summit, the External Affairs Minister also planted a tree at the Indian Embassy in Islamabad.
Notably, Jaishankar is the first Indian leader to visit Pakistan in nearly nine years. The last visit was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a surprise trip to Lahore in December 2015. Just a year after Modi’s visit, Pakistan-backed terrorists attacked the Indian Army’s brigade headquarters in Uri, claiming the lives of several Indian soldiers. Since then, relations between the two nations have deteriorated, further strained by the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir in 2019.(KNS)