S Jaishankar SCO Summit Speech on Terrorism
India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, recently addressed the 23rd Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government in Islamabad, Pakistan. During his speech, he emphasized the importance of combating cross-border terrorism to foster economic growth, stability, and cooperation within the region. Jaishankar’s address marked a significant moment, as it was the first time in nearly a decade that an Indian foreign minister visited Pakistan, despite ongoing tensions between the two nations.
The Need for Stability and Cooperation for Economic Growth
In his address, Jaishankar underscored how peace and stability are crucial for sustainable development and growth. He stressed that partnerships and cooperation within the SCO framework could only flourish when member states are united in their commitment to the organization’s Charter, which emphasizes countering terrorism, extremism, and separatism.
“Our efforts to achieve progress in trade, energy flows, and connectivity are heavily dependent on a peaceful environment. Unfortunately, activities that threaten regional security, particularly those involving terrorism and extremism, undermine these efforts,” Jaishankar noted. He elaborated that such issues continue to pose significant challenges for countries striving to improve their economies through enhanced trade and energy cooperation.
Cross-Border Terrorism as a Major Obstacle to Development
Jaishankar pointed out that terrorism and extremism across borders hamper trade opportunities, energy connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges. The minister’s statement was a subtle but strong message to Pakistan regarding the negative impact of terrorism emanating from its soil on regional stability and development.
“Cross-border activities characterized by terrorism, extremism, and separatism are unlikely to foster an environment conducive to growth or cooperation,” he stated. His message echoed the long-standing concerns of the Indian government about Pakistan’s role in harboring terrorist groups that operate in Kashmir and other parts of India.
The Importance of Comprehensive Reform of the UN Security Council
During the summit, Jaishankar also emphasized the need for reforming the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to make it more representative of developing countries. He urged the SCO members to advocate for a more democratic and inclusive UNSC that reflects the current global landscape.
“We believe that the UNSC must include greater representation from developing nations. As emerging economies, it is our duty to push for these changes to ensure that the council better reflects our interests and the interests of the Global South,” Jaishankar said. His remarks are in line with India’s longstanding call for a permanent seat at the UNSC.
Historic Visit Amid Tense India-Pakistan Relations
Jaishankar’s visit to Pakistan marks a rare diplomatic move, as relations between India and Pakistan have been strained over several issues, including the Kashmir conflict and accusations of cross-border terrorism. The meeting at the SCO provides a platform for India to raise these concerns and advocate for a peaceful resolution to ongoing disputes within the region.
Pakistan assumed the rotating chair of the SCO Council of Heads of Government for 2023-2024, following the previous summit held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, as the current chair, led the two-day meeting, which focused on trade and economic cooperation among member states.
Jaishankar’s participation in the summit reiterates India’s commitment to the SCO’s mission while simultaneously allowing India to highlight its concerns regarding terrorism and the importance of regional cooperation in combating security threats.
A Brief History of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, established on June 15, 2001, is a permanent intergovernmental international organization. The founding members of the SCO include China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The organization aims to promote regional security, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange among its member states.
Since its inception, the SCO has expanded to include India and Pakistan, with several other nations holding observer status. The organization’s mandate covers a wide range of issues, from economic development and trade facilitation to security cooperation and cultural exchange.
A Call for Stronger Economic Ties and Regional Integration
At the summit, member states discussed various initiatives aimed at boosting economic cooperation and facilitating regional integration. As part of these discussions, India reiterated its support for initiatives that foster regional connectivity and trade, including projects that enhance physical infrastructure and streamline trade processes.
Jaishankar stressed that India remains committed to fostering economic ties with SCO nations. However, he also emphasized that any progress in this area would require addressing security concerns related to terrorism and extremism. He called on all member states to remain vigilant against these threats and to work collectively to create a stable environment for economic growth.
Expert Opinions on the Future of SCO and Regional Stability
Security experts have weighed in on Jaishankar’s statements, with many agreeing that terrorism remains one of the most significant obstacles to regional integration within the SCO. Dr. Rakesh Sharma, a senior analyst at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, highlighted that “Jaishankar’s emphasis on combating terrorism is a reminder of the underlying security challenges that continue to hinder economic cooperation in South Asia.”
Similarly, Prof. Salma Ahmed from the University of Karachi noted, “India’s concerns about cross-border terrorism are valid and have been a recurring theme in its diplomatic engagements. For the SCO to truly succeed, member states need to address these issues head-on.”
Conclusion
Jaishankar’s address at the SCO Summit underscores the critical link between security and economic development. His remarks highlight the necessity of countering terrorism to enable a peaceful and prosperous future for the region. As the SCO continues to evolve, member states will need to work together to tackle these challenges and foster an environment that supports growth, cooperation, and mutual understanding.
📚 Take Your Trading And Financial Skills to the Next Level!
If you enjoyed this post, dive deeper with our Profitable Trader Series—a step-by-step guide to mastering the stock market.
- Stock Market 101: Profits with Candlesticks
- Stock Market 201: Profits with Chart Patterns
- Stock Market 301: Advanced Trade Sheets
Start your journey now!
👉 Explore the Series Here
For Regular News and Updates Follow – Sentinel eGazette
FAQs:
- Why did S Jaishankar attend the SCO Summit in Pakistan? S Jaishankar attended the SCO Summit to represent India and discuss issues of regional security and economic cooperation with other member states.
- What was the main message of S Jaishankar’s speech at the SCO Summit? He emphasized that terrorism hinders trade and stability in the region, calling for a united front against it to enable growth.
- How does cross-border terrorism impact trade according to India? Cross-border terrorism disrupts trade by creating instability and posing security threats, which deters investment and cooperation.
- What are the key areas of focus for the SCO Summit? The summit focuses on promoting economic cooperation, security, regional stability, and countering terrorism among member states.
- What is the significance of India’s call for UN Security Council reforms at the SCO? India advocates for UNSC reforms to ensure greater representation of developing countries and enhance the council’s inclusivity and effectiveness.
