‘Terrorism must be stopped in all its forms’: S Jaishankar talks tough at SCO meet

• EAM S Jaishankar condemns terrorism and calls for its complete cessation, including cross-border terrorism
• India's SCO chairmanship will include 100 ministerial-level meetings and events
• Jaishankar emphasizes resolving open issues and maintaining peace in border areas during SCO chairmanship

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said the threat of terrorism continues unabated and nothing can justify acts of terrorism which must be "stopped in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism".

Addressing the foreign minister's meeting at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Jaishankar said fighting cross-border terrorism was one of the original mandates of the SCO conclave. Jaishnakar said 100 meetings and events including ministerial level will be held under India's SCO chairmanship.

"India attaches great importance to the development of multilateral cooperation in the SCO and the promotion of peace and stability," he said.

The External Affairs Minister said he was delighted to host foreign delegates from China, Pakistan, Uzbekistan and other member countries under India's first-ever SCO chairmanship. Urging member states to support India's long-standing demand for English to become the third official language of the SCO to enable deeper engagement with English-speaking member states, Jaishankar said he was pleased to announce that the modernization of the SCO had already begun.

Throwing light on the issue of Afghanistan, he said that the primary motive is to provide humanitarian aid and ensure that the government in the country is inclusive. He said efforts should be made towards the welfare of the Afghan people and channeling of funds to support terrorism and terrorist activities should be blocked indiscriminately.

Jaishankar said global supply chains have been disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic and several geopolitical upheavals. On the India-China border issues, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang emphasized that their view of the relationship between the two countries is "generally stable".

Jaishankar said he had a detailed discussion with Qin Gang on their bilateral ties on the sidelines of the SCO meeting. "The focus remains on resolving open issues and ensuring peace and tranquility in the border areas," the foreign minister said.