Tianjin: Emphasizing the heinous terrorist attack that occurred on April 22 in Pahalgam, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar stated on Tuesday that it is crucial for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to adhere to its foundational goals of combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism, and to adopt a resolute stance against this challenge.
“The three threats that the SCO was established to confront are terrorism, separatism, and extremism. It is not surprising that these issues frequently arise in conjunction. Recently, we in India experienced a stark illustration of this during the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025. This attack was intentionally executed to disrupt the tourism sector of Jammu and Kashmir, while also fostering a religious divide,” EAM Jaishankar remarked while addressing the assembly, which included Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, at the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting in Tianjin, China. “The UN Security Council, of which some of us are current members, released a statement that condemned this act in the strongest possible terms and emphasized the necessity to hold accountable the perpetrators, organizers, financiers, and sponsors of this abhorrent act of terrorism and to bring them to justice. We have since taken action in this regard and will persist in doing so. It is essential for the SCO to remain committed to its founding principles and to take a firm stance on this issue,” he continued.
In his speech, EAM Jaishankar highlighted that the meeting is occurring during a period of “significant disorder” within the international system. “In recent years, we have witnessed an increase in conflicts, competition, and coercion. Economic instability is also evidently on the rise. The challenge we face is to stabilize the global order, mitigate various risks, and throughout this process, address the enduring challenges that jeopardize our collective interests,” he stated.
India has undertaken numerous initiatives within the SCO, spanning areas such as startups and innovation, traditional medicine, and digital public infrastructure.”We will persist in our positive approach towards new ideas and proposals that genuinely benefit our collective interests. It is crucial that such collaboration is founded on mutual respect, sovereign equality, and in alignment with the territorial integrity and sovereignty of member states,” stated the EAM. To enhance collaboration within the SCO, EAM Jaishankar suggested that there should be increased trade, investment, and exchanges.
“For progress to reach the next level, it is essential to address several current challenges. One of these is the lack of guaranteed transit within the SCO region. This deficiency undermines the seriousness of promoting cooperation in economic sectors. Another issue is to ensure the advancement of the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC). We are confident that it will continue to gain momentum,” he remarked. Afghanistan has long been a focus on the SCO agenda. The imperatives of regional stability are supported by our enduring concern for the welfare of the Afghan people. Therefore, the international community, especially SCO members, must enhance their development assistance. India, for its part, will certainly contribute to this effort,” EAM Jaishankar noted. Having previously emphasized that the outlines of multipolarity are now more apparent than ever, the External Affairs Minister stressed the significance of cooperation and coordination among the countries in the region.
