Jaishankar Condemns Terrorism at SCO Meet, Cites Pahalgam Attack

During the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting in Tianjin, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar strongly condemned terrorism. He emphasized the need for an unwavering stance against it, referencing the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India, which the UN Security Council also condemned. Jaishankar highlighted terrorism, separatism, and extremism as interconnected threats. He pointed out the attack in Pahalgam, intended to destabilize the tourism sector in Jammu and Kashmir and incite religious division. He underlined the importance of the SCO upholding its founding principles by taking a firm stand on this challenge, emphasizing India’s commitment to bringing perpetrators to justice. Jaishankar also stressed the need for SCO member states to work together to stabilize the global order amidst rising conflicts, competition, and economic instability. He highlighted initiatives in areas like startup innovation, traditional medicine, and digital public infrastructure. Furthermore, he called for addressing issues such as the lack of assured transit within the SCO space and promoting the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC). Jaishankar also called for development assistance to Afghanistan from the international community. He concluded by emphasizing the shift towards a multi-polar world and the importance of the SCO in shaping global affairs.