India Urges Global Community to Isolate Countries Harbouring Terrorists at SCO Summit

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📷 Image Credits: The Indian Express

India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, delivered Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan. Jaishankar emphasized the need for the global community to isolate and expose countries providing safe havens to terrorists. He called for a decisive response to cross-border terrorism, stating that terrorism financing and recruitment must be countered effectively to prevent the spread of radicalization among youth.

Jaishankar’s remarks, seen as a veiled attack on Pakistan, highlighted the dangers of unchecked terrorism and the importance of combating this global threat. He urged for proactive measures to prevent the spread of radical ideologies, particularly among vulnerable youth populations. The joint statement issued during India’s previous presidency reiterated New Delhi’s commitment to fighting terrorism on all fronts.

The SCO summit, attended by world leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, served as a platform for discussions on security challenges and regional cooperation. Jaishankar underscored the SCO’s role in promoting unity, collaboration, and prosperity based on the principle of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ or ‘The World is One Family’.

India’s deep civilisational ties with Central Asia were emphasized, with Jaishankar highlighting the country’s focus on furthering exchanges, projects, and activities in the region. During its SCO presidency, India prioritized people-centric cooperation, hosting events like the SCO Millet Food Festival, Film Festival, Surajkund Craft Mela, and various conferences.

As the SCO expands with Belarus joining as the 10th member, India expressed support for similar initiatives by other member states. Jaishankar congratulated Kazakhstan for hosting the summit successfully and extended best wishes to China for its upcoming presidency. The minister also conveyed condolences for the tragic death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and others in a helicopter crash, emphasizing solidarity in times of loss.