SCO must root out terrorism, respect territorial integrity: Jaishankar

ISLAMABAD: Combating terrorism, extremism and separatism – characterised as “3 evils’’ by the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) since its inception in 2001 – is essential for the Eurasian group to realise its goals of balanced growth and integration, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said, addressing the 23 rd meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government in Islamabad. However, Jaishankar did not name or single out Pakistan and ensured his remarks fell strictly under the ambit of the SCO Charter that doesn’t allow bilateral issues to be raised at the forum.

Without skirting round the issue of terrorism though, the minister said activities across borders characterized by terrorism, extremism and separatism would be detrimental to trade, energy flows, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges

Jaishankar sought an honest conversation on the issue saying, “if 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 said attaining these original SCO objectives was even more important in an uncertain world marred by conflicts and debt.

“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 evils,’’ said the minister.

In a message to both China and Pakistan, the minister also said SCO cooperation in areas like trade, investment, energy and connectivity must be based on mutual respect and sovereign equality. “It should recognize territorial integrity and sovereignty. It must be built on genuine partnerships, not unilateral agendas,’’ said the minister, adding cooperation can’t progress if global practices are cherry-picked, especially of trade and transit.

India was again the only country in SCO to not endorse China’s BRI in the SCO joint statement. BRI’s flagship China Pakistan Economic Project (CPEC) passes through PoK, which India sees as under illegal occupation of Pakistan. Since it became a full member of SCO in 2017, India has repeatedly reminded member-states that it’s important for them to respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. China was represented by Premier Li Qiang in the meeting.

The minister also spoke about the need to make the UN Security Council more representative, inclusive, transparent, efficient, effective, democratic and accountable. “The SCO must be in the lead of advocating such change, not hold back on a matter of such importance,’’ said the minister. China is the only P5 country not to publicly declare support for India’s UNSC permanent membership bid.

“While we each make our contribution, the world order is more than the sum of its parts. As it changes, global institutions do need to keep pace. That is why the case for ‘reformed multilateralism’ gets stronger by the day. Comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council, both in the permanent and non-permanent categories, is essential,’’ said the minister.