On Friday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and emphasized the importance of blocking the channel of finances for terrorist activities without any distinction. He also emphasized that terrorism in all its forms, including cross-border terrorism, must be stopped. The Pakistani counterpart, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, was present at the meeting.Mr. Jaishankar stated that taking the eyes off terrorism would be detrimental to the security interests of the grouping, and during the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences, the menace of terrorism continued unabated. He made an apparent reference to Pakistan, which has long been accused of supporting terrorist groups.The EAM, who was chairing the conclave, said India firmly believes that there can be no justification for terrorism. He noted that combating terrorism is one of the original mandates of the SCO. The SCO was founded in 2001 with the aim of enhancing regional cooperation and countering terrorism, separatism, and extremism.Mr. Jaishankar’s statement comes at a time when tensions between India and Pakistan are high, with both countries accusing each other of supporting terrorist groups. India has been the victim of several terrorist attacks in recent years, including the 2019 Pulwama attack in which 40 Indian security personnel were killed.India has consistently called on Pakistan to take action against terrorist groups operating on its soil. Pakistan, on the other hand, has denied any involvement in terrorist activities and has accused India of sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan.The SCO is an important platform for India to raise its concerns about terrorism and to seek cooperation from other member countries in countering the menace. The organization comprises eight member states, including China, Russia, and the Central Asian republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan became members of the SCO in 2017.India has been an active participant in SCO meetings and has emphasized the need for greater cooperation among member states in various areas, including counterterrorism, trade, and connectivity.In conclusion, Mr. Jaishankar’s statement at the SCO meeting emphasizes India’s commitment to combating terrorism and the need for greater cooperation among member states. The SCO provides an important platform for India to engage with other countries in the region and seek cooperation in various areas of mutual interest. The issue of terrorism remains a significant challenge for India and the region, and it is imperative that all member states work together to address this menace.
India emphasizes need to block terrorist financing at SCO meet with Pakistan present
