In a landmark visit, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar emphasized the importance of territorial integrity, mutual respect, and cooperation during his remarks at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit held in Pakistan on Wednesday. This visit marked the first time an Indian foreign minister had visited Pakistan since Sushma Swaraj’s tour in 2015, symbolizing a significant diplomatic engagement between the two nations.
In his address, Jaishankar highlighted key global challenges, labelling terrorism, extremism, and separatism as the “three evils” that threaten global peace. He stressed that cooperation between countries should be based on genuine partnerships rather than driven by unilateral agendas, underlining the need for multilateralism and dialogue.
The EAM also referred to current global conflicts, including the ongoing Israel-Hamas-Hezbollah confrontation and the war between Russia and Ukraine. He pointed out that the SCO Summit was taking place amid a particularly "difficult time in world affairs." Jaishankar mentioned that the world was grappling with not only these conflicts but also the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Disruptions of various kinds—ranging from extreme climate events to supply chain uncertainties and financial volatility—are impacting growth and development,” Jaishankar noted, adding that rising debt levels and delays in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were significant concerns. He also spoke of the dual-edged nature of technology, which offers vast potential for progress but also presents new challenges that nations must navigate.
Jaishankar’s speech also addressed the importance of fostering multi-faceted regional cooperation to promote both economic growth and conflict prevention. “If activities are characterized by terrorism, trade won't be encouraged,” he remarked, emphasizing the need to combat extremism for any meaningful economic collaboration to occur within the region.
Aside from his formal remarks, Jaishankar also engaged in diplomatic exchanges with other leaders. On Tuesday, he had a brief interaction with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during an official dinner for summit attendees, reflecting the ongoing diplomatic engagement despite long-standing tensions between India and Pakistan.
Jaishankar's presence at the SCO Summit and his comments underline India's commitment to regional cooperation, global stability, and a firm stance against terrorism. His emphasis on territorial integrity and collective security resonates as a call for responsible state behavior and deeper collaboration between nations in tackling shared global challenges.
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