SCO meet: EAM Jaishankar flags concerns over terrorism, extremism

In a thinly veiled message to Pakistan External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday said cooperation in areas like trade energy and connectivity is unlikely to flourish if activities across borders are characterised by terrorism extremism and separatismIn his address at a conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation SCO Jaishankar also asserted that cooperation must be based on mutual respect and sovereign equality and that it should recognise the territorial integrity and sovereignty of nationsThe external affairs minister led the Indian delegation at the SCO meet in Islamabad which was chaired by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz SharifJaishankar said trust was key for cooperation and the SCO member nations can benefit immensely if the grouping moves ahead collectivelyHe said cooperation must be based on mutual respect and sovereign equalityIt should recognise territorial integrity and sovereignty It must be built on genuine partnerships not unilateral agendas It cannot progress if we cherrypick global practices especially of trade and transit he said in remarks seen as an indirect reference to Chinas assertive behaviour on key issuesBut most of all our endeavours will progress only when our commitment to the Charter remains firm It is axiomatic that development and growth requires peace and stability And as the Charter spelt out this means being firm and uncompromising in countering the three evilsIf activities across borders are characterised by terrorism extremism and separatism they are hardly likely to encourage trade energy flows connectivity and peopletopeople exchanges in parallel Jaishankar saidThe external affairs minister underlined the need for every SCO member nation to strictly adhere to the charter of the grouping highlighting its essence of strengthening mutual trust friendship and good neighbourlinessIf trust is lacking or cooperation inadequate if friendship has fallen short and good neighbourliness is missing somewhere there are surely reasons to introspect and causes to address he saidEqually it is only when we reaffirm our commitment most sincerely to the Charter that we can fully realise the benefits of cooperation and integration that it envisages he addedJaishankar also referred to various global challengesWe meet at a difficult time in world affairs Two major conflicts are underway each with its own global repercussions The Covid pandemic has left many in the developing world deeply devastated he saidDisruptions of various kinds ranging from extreme climate events to supply chain uncertainties and financial volatility are impacting growth and development he saidJaishankar also described the challenge of debt as a serious concernTechnology holds great promise as well as raising a new host of concerns he saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever