In Islamabad, Jaishankar Talks Terrorism, Extremism & Territorial Sovereignty, Takes Shot At Pakistan & China
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday emphasised the need to take the SCO 'forward', but also spoke about the 'constraints' in cooperation among the member countries.
Islamabad, Pakistan: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday took a jibe at Pakistan, the current chair of the Council of Heads of Government (CHG) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), as well as China as he spoke about terrorism across the border, extremism and separatism, and territorial integrity and sovereignty. Jaishankar is currently visiting Islamabad to attend the summit. This is his maiden visit to the Pakistani capital as the External Affairs Minister of India.
While emphasising the need to take the SCO — of which India became a member in 2017 — “forward”, Jaishankar also spoke about the “constraints” in cooperation among the member countries. The SCO Summit is being held at the sprawling Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad.
In an obvious reference to Pakistan, the External Affairs Minister said in his national statement that the China-led SCO was formed with the commitment to combat terrorism, extremism and separatism. However, he said, an “honest conversation” was needed on these topics.
“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,” he said.
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Jaishankar added, “Equally, it is only when we reaffirm our commitment most sincerely to the Charter that we can fully realise the benefits of cooperation and integration that it envisages.”
Since arriving in Pakistan, Jaishankar has come face to face with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif twice. Apart from meeting him at the SCO plenary session, the External Affairs Minister also attended an informal dinner reception hosted by PM Sharif Tuesday.
He will also be attending the formal luncheon that Sharif has organised for all the delegates on Wednesday.
Jaishankar is the first Indian foreign minister to visit Pakistan in nine years.
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‘Constraints’ In SCO Cooperation
Once again highlighting the fact that not all is well within the grouping, Jaishankar spoke about territorial integrity and sovereignty, taking a jibe at China.
“Cooperation must be based on mutual respect and sovereign equality. It should recognise territorial integrity and sovereignty. It must be built on genuine partnerships, not unilateral agendas. It cannot progress if we cherry-pick global practices, especially of trade and transit,” said Jaishankar.
Addressing the 10 members of the SCO, which also includes Russia and Iran, Jaishankar said it is crucial to “renew” the objectives that define this regional grouping.
“That means recognising the current constraints on our cooperation and focusing on the pathway forward. It can surely happen when we develop and implement an agenda that is firmly based on an agreed mutuality of interests,” said Jaishankar.
The External Affairs Minister, who landed at Pakistan’s Nur Khan Air Force base on Tuesday, added, “To do that, it is equally essential that we abide by the do’s and don’ts so clearly articulated by the Charter. After all, the SCO represents the forces of change on whom much of the world puts such great store. Let us live up to that responsibility.”
The 10 members of SCO are Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, Iran, and Belarus.
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