S Jaishankar Talks About India’s Ties with Afghanistan and Kazakhstan at SCO Summit
Astana, Kazakhstan – External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar discussed India’s historical connections with Afghanistan and the importance of people-to-people relationships in an interview with Kazinform News Agency. He emphasized India’s support for Afghanistan through humanitarian aid, including food, medicines, and pesticides.
Jaishankar stated, “In India, we have a historical relationship with the people of Afghanistan. This people-to-people connection is actually a foundation for our ties. We continue to supply medicine to the hospitals in Afghanistan.” He also mentioned India’s efforts in providing wheat and pesticides to combat food shortages and locust attacks in Afghanistan.
Jaishankar highlighted the significance of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to India, noting ancient cultural and people-to-people connections with Central Asia. He congratulated Kazakhstan for its successful chairmanship of the SCO, which it took over from India after the New Delhi Summit in July 2023.
He recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement at the New Delhi Summit, emphasizing that India views the region as an “extended family.” Jaishankar said, “SCO is an important organisation for India. We share millennia-old relationships with the countries in the region, especially in cultural and people-to-people ties.”
Jaishankar stressed the importance of considering the sensitivities and priorities of all member states as the SCO continues to expand. He appreciated Kazakhstan’s efforts in building upon the progress made during India’s tenure, highlighting the importance of continuity and cooperation in multilateral organisations.
He also highlighted India’s special relationship with Kazakhstan within the SCO framework, noting that India officially joined the SCO in 2017 at the Astana Summit. Jaishankar appreciated Kazakhstan’s role in bringing together all partners for the Summit, including several international organizations.
The 2024 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit was held in Astana last month, with leaders from across the region participating. EAM Jaishankar represented India at the summit and delivered PM Modi’s remarks, which highlighted combating terrorism and addressing climate change as key priorities.