S Jaishankar Addresses SCO Meeting in Islamabad
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended the 23rd Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government in Islamabad. He highlighted the issues of cross-border terrorism, extremism, and separatism, calling them the “three evils” that hinder trade and relations between countries.
Key Points from Jaishankar’s Address
Jaishankar emphasized that activities characterized by these “three evils” are unlikely to promote trade, energy flows, and connectivity. He also criticized unilateral connectivity initiatives, hinting at China’s Belt and Road Initiative, and stressed the importance of cooperation based on mutual respect and sovereign equality.
Globalization and Regional Cooperation
Jaishankar noted the realities of globalization and rebalancing, which create new opportunities for trade, investment, and collaboration. He urged for cooperation that respects territorial integrity and sovereignty, and warned against cherry-picking global practices.
Commitment to the SCO Charter
He called for a firm commitment to the SCO Charter, stating that development requires peace and stability. Jaishankar highlighted the potential benefits of industrial cooperation, MSME collaboration, and environmental protection.
Introspection and Honest Conversations
Jaishankar stressed the need for introspection if trust and cooperation are lacking among nations. He urged for honest conversations to address these issues and reaffirm commitment to the SCO Charter.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired the meeting, and visuals showed Jaishankar and Sharif exchanging a handshake and posing for photographs.
Doubts Revealed
S Jaishankar -: S Jaishankar is the External Affairs Minister of India. He is responsible for managing India’s foreign relations and international diplomacy.
SCO -: SCO stands for Shanghai Cooperation Organization. It is a group of countries that work together on political, economic, and security issues. India is a member of this organization.
Islamabad -: Islamabad is the capital city of Pakistan. It is where the 23rd SCO Meeting was held.
Three Evils -: The ‘Three Evils’ refer to cross-border terrorism, extremism, and separatism. These are problems that can cause harm and disrupt peace between countries.
Cross-border terrorism -: Cross-border terrorism is when terrorist activities are planned or carried out across national borders, affecting neighboring countries.
Extremism -: Extremism is when people have very strong beliefs that are far from what most people think is normal, and they might use violence to support their ideas.
Separatism -: Separatism is when a group of people want to break away from a larger country to form their own independent nation.
Unilateral connectivity moves -: Unilateral connectivity moves are actions taken by one country to improve its connections with other countries without consulting or agreeing with them. This can sometimes cause disagreements.
Belt and Road Initiative -: The Belt and Road Initiative is a global development strategy by China to build infrastructure and boost trade across Asia, Europe, and Africa. Some countries have concerns about its impact on their own economies and sovereignty.
SCO Charter -: The SCO Charter is a set of rules and principles that member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization agree to follow. It focuses on cooperation, peace, and stability among member nations.
