Anti-terror measures are need of the hour, combating terrorism is one of the original mandates of SCO: Jaishankar

Stating that terrorism is a major threat, EAM Jaishankar said that anti-terror measures are the need of the hour

May 5, 2023

Jaishankar talks tough on terror at SCO Summit

On Friday speaking at the Shanghai Organisation Corporation (SCO) Foreign Ministers meeting in Goa, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated that terrorism is a major threat and that anti-terror measures are the need of the hour.

Jaishankar said that the channels of finances for terrorist activities must be seized and blocked to curb all these activities. He said that combating terrorism is one of the original mandates of the SCO, and as this menace continues there is a need to take measures to stop terrorism.

He added that there can be no justification for terrorism and must be stopped in all its forms.

On the second day of the SCO Foreign Ministers’ meeting, he welcomed all his counterparts, who are members of the SCO.

The two-day meeting of Foreign Ministers of SCO members began here Thursday, with Jaishankar also holding meetings with his counterparts.

Jaishankar also met SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming and appreciated his support for India’s SCO Presidency and added that it is driven by a commitment to secure the SCO.

He laid down the key focus areas, including startups, traditional medicine, youth empowerment, Buddhist heritage, and science & technology.

Dr. S Jaishankar also sought the support of members to make English the third official language of the SCO. Currently, Russian and Mandarin are used as official and working languages. He said that constructive steps are needed in this regard.

Jaishankar said that India has initiated an unprecedented engagement with SCO observers and dialogue partners by inviting them to participate in more than 14 social-cultural events.

Dr. S Jaishankar has appreciated the support of member countries for India’s proposal of the creation of two new working groups on startups and innovation and traditional medicines.

Established on June 15, 2001, in Shanghai, the SCO originally comprised Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan became members subsequently.

[With Inputs from IANS]

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