External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Friday at the SCO foreign ministers meeting stressed on the need to collective effort to stop terrorism in all its forms. While addressing the opening segment of the meet, EAM said that there can be no justification for terrorism.
Taking a veiled swipe at Pakistan, EAM said “We firmly believe there can be no justification for terrorism. It must be stopped in all its forms, including cross-border terror."
The remarks on terrorism was made in the presence of Pakistan FM Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, China's Qin Gang and Russia's Sergey Lavrov.
The channel of finances for terrorist activities must be seized and blocked without distinction, said Jaishankar.
He also added that while the world was engaged in facing Covid-19 pandemic's consequences, the menace of terrorism continued unabated.
“Due to Covid-19, geo-political upheavals, world is facing multitude of challenges; these events disrupted global supply chains...Taking our eyes off terrorism would be detrimental to our security interests,” he added.
While addressing the SCO meet, Pakistan FM Bilawal Bhutto urged to collectively eradicate the menace of terrorism. "Let's not get caught up in weaponising terrorism for diplomatic point scoring," said Bhutto.
Bhutto in his statement reiterated Pakistan's commitment to multilateralism for maintaining international peace and harmony. "Pakistan remains committed to multilateralism and continues to play a leading role at all international forums," he said.
India attaches great importance to development of multifaceted cooperation in SCO and to promotion of peace, stability, said Jaishankar.
He said that under the presidency of SCO, India has successfully concluded more than 100 meetings and events, including 15 ministerial level meets.
Unfolding situation in Afghanistan remains at centre of our attention and efforts should be directed towards welfare of Afghan people, said EAM.
