Jaishankar's veiled jib at Pakistan, flags concerns over terrorism and extremism
PTC News Desk: India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has called for introspection if friendship between the two nations has fallen short or good neighbourliness is missing. During the SCO Summit, MEA took a veiled jib at Pakistan, flagging concerns over terrorism and extremism. He termed cross-border terrorism, extremism and separatism as the "three evils" that hinder trade and people-to-people relations between countries.
In his address at the 23rd Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government in Islamabad, Jaishankar said, "If we fast-forward from the inception of the Charter to the situation today, these goals and these tasks are even more crucial. It is, therefore, essential that we have an honest conversation."
"If trust is lacking or cooperation inadequate, if friendship has fallen short and good neighbourliness is missing somewhere, there are surely reasons to introspect and causes to address. Equally, it is only when we reaffirm our commitment most sincerely to the Charter that we can fully realize the benefits of cooperation and integration that it envisages," he added.
He further added, "We all realize that the world is moving towards multi-polarity. Globalization and rebalancing are realities that cannot be denied. Cumulatively, they have created many new opportunities in terms of trade, investment, connectivity, energy flows and other forms of collaboration. There is no question that our region would benefit immensely if we take this forward. Not just that, others too would draw their own inspiration and lessons from such efforts."
Calling for firm commitment to the SCO Charter, Jaishankar said, "But most of all, our endeavours will progress only when our commitment to the Charter remains firm. It is axiomatic that development and growth requires peace and stability. And as the Charter spelt out, this means being firm and uncompromising in countering the 'three evils'. If activities across borders are characterized by terrorism, extremism and separatism, they are hardly likely to encourage trade, energy flows, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges in parallel."
Meanwhile Calling for reforms of UNSC, EAM Jaishankar said, "While we each make our contribution, the world order is more than the sum of its parts. As it changes, global institutions do need to keep pace. That is why the case for 'reformed multilateralism' gets stronger by the day. Comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council, both in the permanent and non-permanent categories, is essential." He termed it essential to abide by the do's and don'ts articulated by the SCO charter. He called for developing and implementing an agenda that is firmly based on an agreed mutuality of interests.
Jaishankar arrived in the neighbouring country yesterday for a two-day visit to attend the 23rd Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government. The two-day SCO Meeting is being chaired by Pakistan's Prime Minister Sharif as the current chair of the Council.
He said that the collective endeavours of SCO nations can expand resources and encourage investment flows. He said that the business communities will profit through larger networks and collaborative connectivity can create new efficiencies.
- PTC NEWS
