S Jaishankar, Indian Foreign Minister.
Islamabad: India’s roar at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit has left both Pakistan and China speechless. Foreign Minister S Jaishankar has strongly criticized Pakistan in the SCO summit. Not only his friend China was also spared. Jaishankar has given such a strong message to Pakistan from its own soil that even its best friend China has become upset. Jaishankar has indirectly given a big message to Pakistan without taking its name. He said cooperation in areas like trade, energy and connectivity is unlikely to increase if cross-border activities are based on the “three evils” of terrorism, extremism and separatism.
Along with this, Jaishankar also made China angry with his attack. Jaishankar warned about China’s growing military power in the Indian Ocean and other strategic waters along with the ongoing military standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh. He said, “If cross-border activities are related to terrorism, extremism and separatism, then there can be no possibility of them simultaneously promoting trade, energy flow, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges.” Even China was stunned by this strong reply of India.
Main points of Jaishankar
Addressing a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Jaishankar said territorial integrity and sovereignty must be recognized in trade and connectivity initiatives and it is necessary to have “honest dialogue” on trust deficit. The External Affairs Minister led the Indian delegation to the 23rd Summit of the Council of Heads of Government (CHG) of the SCO countries held in Islamabad. This conference was presided over by Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. Jaishankar is the first Indian foreign minister in a decade to reach Islamabad on Tuesday. First Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif addressed the SCO conference. Immediately after this, Jaishankar also gave his address. Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang also participated in this conference. Before the start of the conference, Pakistan Prime Minister Sharif shook hands with Jaishankar and warmly welcomed him at the ‘Jinnah Convention Centre’.
Emphasis remained on territorial integrity and sovereignty
Jaishankar said that SCO cooperation should be based on mutual respect and equality of sovereignty. SCO member countries can benefit greatly if the group moves forward together on the basis of mutual trust. The External Affairs Minister stressed the need for strict adherence to the group’s charter by every SCO member state. Highlighting its essence to strengthen the spirit of mutual trust, friendship and good neighbourliness, he said, “It should recognize territorial integrity and sovereignty.” It should be based on genuine partnership, not a one-sided agenda. “This (cooperation) cannot move forward if we choose based on our own advantages in global systems, especially in the areas of trade and transit.”
These lines gave a deep message to Pakistan and China
Indirectly giving a deep message to Pakistan and China, the External Affairs Minister said, “If there is a lack of trust or not enough cooperation, if friendship has diminished and the feeling of good neighborliness is missing, then it is certainly necessary for them to introspect and Solutions need to be found.” He said, “Only if we solemnly reaffirm our commitment to the Charter can we fully realize the benefits of cooperation and integration that it envisages.” Jaishankar said the objective of SCO is to strengthen relations as mutual trust, friendship and good neighbourliness. He said, “Its objective is to develop multidimensional cooperation, especially of regional nature. Its objective is to be a positive force in terms of balanced development, integration and conflict prevention.” Jaishankar said, ”It was also clear in the charter what the main challenges were. There were mainly three challenges that the SCO was committed to combat: first – terrorism, second – separatism and third challenge – extremism.” (Language)
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