Jaishankar condemns cross-border terrorism at SCO summit in Islamabad.
Pakistan is hosting the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting in Islamabad under tight security measures, with the capital city nearly in lockdown. Authorities have implemented extensive security protocols to ensure the safety of delegates and high-profile attendees, including roadblocks, restricted movement, and heightened surveillance throughout the city. The lockdown has resulted in significant disruptions to daily life, with residents facing limited access to certain areas and traffic being heavily regulated. These measures come as Pakistan aims to project a secure environment for the summit, which addresses critical regional issues, including security cooperation, economic collaboration, and counterterrorism efforts.
During the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Islamabad on Wednesday, India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, took an indirect but pointed jab at Pakistan by highlighting the adverse impact of cross-border terrorism, extremism, and separatism on regional development. Addressing the gathering, which included Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Jaishankar underscored the fundamental connection between peace, stability, and economic progress, making it clear that without addressing security challenges, efforts to foster trade and regional cooperation would be futile.
The summit took place amid heightened security measures in Pakistan’s capital, with the city nearly in lockdown to ensure the safety of high-profile attendees and delegates from the member states. This setting underscored the sensitive nature of the discussions at the summit, where regional security and economic collaboration were key issues on the agenda. Jaishankar’s remarks resonated with India’s longstanding stance on counterterrorism, reflecting concerns over activities that disrupt peace and create instability across borders.
In his address, Jaishankar emphasized the critical need for member states to adhere firmly to the SCO Charter, which outlines the principles of mutual trust, non-aggression, and peaceful coexistence. He argued that development and growth in the region are contingent upon a steadfast commitment to these principles. Specifically, he pointed to the need for a strong and uncompromising stance against what he referred to as the “three evils”—terrorism, extremism, and separatism. The mention of these issues appeared to be a direct reference to India’s concerns about the presence and activities of terrorist groups in Pakistan, which India has repeatedly accused of fomenting unrest and supporting separatist movements in the region.
Jaishankar’s statement also highlighted the broader implications of these security threats on economic initiatives, particularly in terms of trade, energy connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges. He stated, “Our endeavours will progress only when our commitment to the Charter remains firm. It is axiomatic that development and growth require peace and stability.” He further added, “If activities across borders are characterized by terrorism, extremism, and separatism, they are hardly likely to encourage trade, energy flows, connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges in parallel.” These remarks not only reiterated India’s position but also called on SCO member states to take decisive action against factors that hinder economic integration and sustainable development.
The presence of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during Jaishankar’s speech added a layer of diplomatic significance to the comments. Although Jaishankar did not name Pakistan explicitly, the context of his remarks suggested a clear message aimed at Pakistan’s government, urging them to address concerns about cross-border terrorism and refrain from supporting groups that promote extremism and separatist activities. India has often accused Pakistan of providing safe havens for militant groups that target Indian interests, especially in the context of the Kashmir conflict, which has been a contentious issue between the two nations.
The SCO summit provided a platform for discussing collective security challenges, but the diplomatic undertones indicated the persistent tensions between India and Pakistan. Jaishankar’s speech served as a reminder of the challenges the organization faces in achieving its objectives when member states have differing views on critical issues like terrorism. While the SCO Charter emphasizes regional security and economic cooperation, the ongoing disputes and allegations of state-sponsored terrorism create obstacles that the member states must navigate to foster genuine collaboration.
In the larger context, Jaishankar’s remarks aimed to shift the narrative towards the need for concrete actions rather than rhetoric. The call for a united stand against the “three evils” is not only a reiteration of India’s counterterrorism policy but also a broader appeal to the international community to recognize the link between security and economic progress. For the SCO to be effective in addressing regional issues, it must confront these security threats head-on, ensuring that all member states are held accountable for their commitments.
The summit in Islamabad, despite being hosted under strict security, revealed the underlying geopolitical tensions that continue to challenge the goal of a cohesive and peaceful region. The discourse on peace, development, and counterterrorism remains central to the SCO’s agenda, but achieving consensus on these issues requires addressing the root causes of insecurity and mistrust among the member states. Jaishankar’s speech, therefore, not only reaffirmed India’s position but also laid down a marker for future discussions on how to build a secure and economically integrated region.