Thu Oct 17 20:32:23 UTC 2024: ## Jaishankar Takes Swipe at Pakistan at SCO Summit, Emphasizing Peace for Regional Cooperation
Islamabad, [Date] – India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, delivered a strong message to Pakistan at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, implicitly linking cross-border terrorism and separatism to the hindrance of bilateral relations and regional cooperation.
Speaking at the two-day summit in Islamabad, Jaishankar highlighted that peace and stability are essential for development and growth. He emphasized the need to combat the “three evils” – terrorism, extremism, and separatism – as outlined in the SCO Charter. He stated that activities across borders characterized by these elements are detrimental to trade, energy flows, connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges.
“SCO cannot progress if we cherry-pick global practices, especially of trade and transit,” Jaishankar stressed, advocating for cooperation based on mutual respect, sovereign equality, and genuine partnerships.
The Minister also highlighted India’s global initiatives towards sustainability and holistic development, including the International Solar Alliance, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, and Mission LiFE.
Recognizing the challenging global landscape, Jaishankar emphasized the need for strengthening mutual trust, friendship, and good neighbourliness to address current challenges such as the repercussions of ongoing global conflicts and the developing world’s struggle to recover from COVID-19.
While congratulating Pakistan for its presidency of the SCO summit, Jaishankar confirmed that no bilateral talks are scheduled between India and Pakistan during this visit.
The visit marks the first by a senior Indian official to Pakistan in almost a decade.
First Piper 