The Highlights:
The External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit with a clear and loud message of India reaffirming its clear stance against terror – in particular, against the cross-border threats. Several crucial countries including India, Pakistan, China, and Russia participated in the summit held in Astana, Kazakhstan. Jaishankar’s speech was remarkable for its forthright denunciation of terrorism and extremism, as he called them “three evils” — terrorism, extremism, and separatism — significant challenges to regional cooperation and economic development.
Cross-Border Terrorism Condemnation
While pointing out the negatives effect of terrorism on the stability and development of the region, Jaishankar explicitly referred to Pakistan as the fulcrum around which his entire address revolved. The minister reminded that countering terrorism remains the core SCO objective, and further true cooperation within the group can only be achieved without addressing this critical challenge. India has long accused Pakistan of creating cross-border terrorism, and Jaishankar seized the moment to ask for decisive action, calling the group to shift from mere rhetoric to specific actions in order to curb financing of terrorism and radical ideologies.
“No amount of normalization in terms of trade and connectivity can be meaningful if terrorist activities persist. The channelling of resources for terrorism must be blocked. It is critical, therefore, that one takes into account India’s position: peace and development in the region will only be achieved with the dismantling of terror networks,” Jaishankar said.
We need honest conversations to rebuild trust
In addition to his criticism of terrorism, Jaishankar also frankly voiced his opinions regarding the “lack of trust” among SCO members, which has been the issue plaguing the organization for years now. A candid conversation on the pillars among the members is what is required to bridge that widening trust deficit, according to Jaishankar. “The lack of trust between some of its members is palpable, and if not dealt with now, it will continue to impede SCO’s potential to spur regional growth, he said.
Jaishankar was equally critical about the trust factor and spoke not only about terrorism but also of other forms of geopolitical tensions that are weighing on SCO relationships, demanding greater transparency, respect for territorial integrity, and adherence to the group’s founding principles. His words formed part of a greater strategic concern for India, especially towards Pakistan and China, who have been at odds with New Delhi in recent years.
The Response of the SCO to Regional Challenges
While terrorism became the dominant theme in Jaishankar’s speech, he also discussed a few other important issues being dealt with by SCO. Energy security, connectivity, and economic integration are some of the other critical challenges that SCO needs to address. India has consistently called for increased cooperation within the SCO, particularly concerning infrastructure, solar energy, and innovation in digitalization. The general thrust of Jaishankar’s speech was India’s willingness to cooperate with the SCO nations in developing all these areas without mentioning security concerns, mainly terrorism.
Sharp contrast was Jaishankar when he was seated firm as the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, to chair the meeting. Pakistan had steered clear of holding face-to-face talks with India on its allegations, but the chill between the two states did not dissipate from their summit. According to analysts, it is often that internal acrimony causes the SCO not to work effectively, especially between India and Pakistan.
India Vision for Regional Cooperation
While he acknowledged the challenges, Jaishankar reaffirmed that the country was committed to the pursuit of the SCO’s objectives. “Economic cooperation is an imperative which is often focused on energy and connectivity as drivers of regional growth,” he said. According to him, India is ready to play an active role in these areas, but “whether this will actually translate into some progress is of course going to depend on whether we can break the shackles of terrorism and political instability.”. The SCO, if the members were interested in having open and honest discussion, could be a platform for solving issues and bringing further cooperation, Jaishankar believed.
Conclusion: Jaishankar’s Call for Action
Indeed, Jaishankar’s address at the SCO summit was a clarion call urging members to grapple with the root causes of instability-first and foremost, terrorism-while cultivating a climate of trust and cooperation. His harsh words reflected India’s frustration at the seeming stagnation of debate on salient issues in the SCO and its resolve to press for meaningful change.
The coming months will reveal whether Jaishankar’s message truly resonates with other SCO members, in particular those which are yet not ready to accept and confront terrorism and regional discord. For India, the war against terrorism remains non-negotiable, and leadership in this area continues to shape its foreign policy approach both within and beyond the SCO.
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