October 16, 2024: In a pointed address at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar criticized Pakistan, emphasizing that cross-border terrorism undermines trade and connectivity between nations. Speaking in Islamabad, Jaishankar underscored the need for stability and peace as prerequisites for development.

Jaishankar articulated that "if activities across borders are characterised by terrorism, extremism, and separatism, they are hardly likely to encourage trade, energy flows, connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges." His remarks came as he highlighted the SCO’s commitment to combatting what he termed the "three evils" of terrorism, separatism, and extremism, which he believes are particularly pertinent in today's global context.

Addressing the broader implications for regional cooperation, Jaishankar stated that "cooperation must be based on mutual respect and sovereign equality," calling for genuine partnerships rather than unilateral agendas. He stressed that the SCO must avoid selective application of global practices in areas such as trade and transit to ensure progress within the organization.

Jaishankar’s comments reflect India’s longstanding position on the challenges posed by cross-border terrorism, particularly in relation to its neighbor, Pakistan. As the SCO gathers momentum in addressing pressing regional issues, Jaishankar’s statement reinforces India's call for a firm stance against terrorism to foster a more conducive environment for economic growth and collaboration among member states.