S. Jaishankar Minister of External Affairs of India Highlights Key Initiatives at SCO Summit
The first day of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit is currently underway in Pakistan. In his inaugural address, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the importance of cooperation and unity against terrorism. This summit marks a significant moment as Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar joins Pakistani leaders in the same venue after a long time.
Reports indicate that Prime Minister Sharif hosted a dinner for SCO leaders, where he and Jaishankar greeted each other warmly. Minister Jaishankar is set to remain in Pakistan for the next two days and participate actively in the summit. He clarified that his visit is not for bilateral discussions, stating, “This is a multi-level summit, and we are attending it out of our commitment to the SCO.”
Moreover, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, confirmed that no scheduled bilateral talks with Jaishankar are planned, as the focus remains solely on the SCO summit agenda. Discussions will center around critical economic, social, and global issues. Notably, while Pakistan extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the summit, he declined, delegating representation to Minister Jaishankar.
In his address, Jaishankar highlighted the significance of collaboration in tackling regional challenges. Here are the key points from his speech:
- One Earth, One Family, One Future: Advocating for a dialogue centered around this theme, Jaishankar emphasized the need for global interconnectedness.
- India’s Initiatives: He noted the positive response to India’s initiatives, including the SCO Startup Forum and Traditional Medicine, showcasing India’s commitment to cooperation.
- Digital Inclusion: The integration of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) into the SCO cooperation framework was underscored, aiming for technological advancement among member states.
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Jaishankar emphasized drawing inspiration from India’s Mission LiFE initiative to achieve the UNSDGs.
- Global Food Security: He stressed the promotion of climate-resilient and nutritious grains, such as millets, to enhance food security.
- Fair Connectivity Projects: Jaishankar advocated for fair and balanced connectivity projects that adhere to international law and align with UN Charter goals.
- Multilateral Trading System: He underscored the necessity of a rules-based, open, and fair trading system centered around the World Trade Organization (WTO), while opposing protectionist measures.
- Reformed Multilateralism: Jaishankar called for the SCO to champion a more representative, transparent, and accountable United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Through these key points, S. Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s commitment to the SCO and highlighted the critical need for collaborative efforts to address global challenges.
