Tianjin, China (Economy India): India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar has called on the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to remain unwavering in its core commitment to combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism. Addressing the SCO Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Tianjin, China, Jaishankar emphasized the need for the group to adopt an uncompromising approach toward these persistent global threats.
Speaking in the presence of foreign ministers from Pakistan, China, and other SCO member states, Jaishankar firmly justified India’s strong response to the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. He stated that the attack was part of a conspiracy to destabilize the region’s tourism economy and incite communal tension.
“The SCO must stay committed to the purpose for which it was founded — fighting terrorism, separatism, and extremism. These often occur together, as we saw during the 22 April terrorist attack in Pahalgam,” Jaishankar remarked.
Operation Sindoor: India’s Decisive Action
Jaishankar underscored India’s resolute reaction to the Pahalgam incident, referencing ‘Operation Sindoor’, launched on 7 May, which targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied territory. He highlighted that the United Nations Security Council had strongly condemned the attack and emphasized the need to bring perpetrators, financiers, and sponsors to justice.
“We have done exactly that and will continue to do so,” he said.
A Call for Principle-Based Regional Cooperation
Jaishankar also called for SCO cooperation to be based on mutual respect, sovereign equality, and territorial integrity — a subtle criticism of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which India has consistently opposed due to its implications for India’s sovereignty in Pakistan-occupied regions.
In the backdrop of growing global scrutiny of the BRI, his remarks carried added weight, especially amid China’s perceived obstruction of India’s efforts to sanction Pakistan-backed terrorists at the UN Security Council.
India’s Broader Engagement in SCO
Beyond security concerns, Jaishankar showcased India’s constructive role within the SCO in promoting startups, traditional medicine, digital public infrastructure, and innovation. He reaffirmed India’s positive approach toward new proposals that genuinely serve collective interests.
“We remain open to new ideas that are in the true interest of all SCO members,” he said.
Support for Afghanistan’s Development
Reiterating India’s consistent concern for regional stability, Jaishankar urged SCO nations to extend development support to Afghanistan, stating that the country has long been on the organization’s agenda.
“Afghanistan’s future is a shared regional concern. Helping its people contributes to long-term stability,” he noted.
Connectivity and Transit: A Shared Priority
The External Affairs Minister concluded by stressing the importance of strengthening regional transit and connectivity infrastructure — both digital and physical — among SCO nations to enable smoother economic and strategic cooperation.
(Economy India)
Source (PTI)
