EAM S Jaishankar Addresses SCO Meeting in Islamabad
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended the 23rd Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government in Islamabad. He emphasized the need for introspection if friendship and good neighborliness are lacking between nations. Jaishankar highlighted the importance of trust and cooperation, urging countries to reaffirm their commitment to the SCO Charter to fully benefit from cooperation and integration.
Addressing Cross-Border Challenges
Jaishankar identified cross-border terrorism, extremism, and separatism as major obstacles to trade and people-to-people relations. He suggested that activities characterized by these “three evils” hinder progress in trade, energy flows, and connectivity.
India’s Initiatives and Global Cooperation
Jaishankar discussed India’s initiatives like the International Solar Alliance and the Global Biofuel Alliance, which promote renewable energy and energy transition. He also called for reform of the United Nations Security Council to ensure representation of developing countries.
Commitment to SCO Charter
Jaishankar stressed the importance of adhering to the SCO Charter’s principles, advocating for cooperation based on mutual respect and sovereign equality. He highlighted the potential benefits of industrial cooperation, MSME collaboration, and environmental protection.
Meeting Highlights
Jaishankar was welcomed by Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif and participated in various activities, including planting a sapling at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.
Doubts Revealed
EAM -: EAM stands for External Affairs Minister. In India, this is the person responsible for managing the country’s relationships with other countries.
S Jaishankar -: S Jaishankar is the current External Affairs Minister of India. He is responsible for India’s foreign policy and international relations.
SCO -: SCO stands for Shanghai Cooperation Organization. It is a group of countries that work together on political, economic, and security issues.
Islamabad -: Islamabad is the capital city of Pakistan. It is where important government meetings and events often take place.
Cross-border terrorism -: Cross-border terrorism refers to terrorist activities that occur across national borders, often involving groups from one country attacking another.
Extremism -: Extremism is when people have very strong and often dangerous beliefs that are far from what most people think is normal or acceptable.
Separatism -: Separatism is when a group of people want to break away from a larger country to form their own independent country.
International Solar Alliance -: The International Solar Alliance is an initiative by India to promote the use of solar energy around the world, especially in countries with lots of sunlight.
UN Security Council reform -: UN Security Council reform refers to changes that some countries want to make to the United Nations Security Council to make it more fair and representative of today’s world.
SCO Charter -: The SCO Charter is a set of rules and principles that the member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization agree to follow for cooperation and mutual benefit.
