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Development and growth require peace and stability, EAM Jaishankar says
Addressing a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Islamabad on Wednesday (October 16, 2024) with top leaders from hosts Pakistan and China in attendance, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called for mutual respect and sovereign equality while also highlighting the need to combat terrorism.
During the course of delivering India’s national statement at the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting, he also flagged lack of trust and absence of good neighbourliness as reasons that needed to be addressed. “If trust is lacking or cooperation inadequate, if friendship has fallen short and good neighbourliness is missing somewhere, there are surely reasons to introspect and causes to address”.
Maintaining that development and growth require peace and stability, he referred to the SCO Charter's emphasis on being firm and uncompromising in countering the ‘three evils’. “If activities across borders are characterized by terrorism, extremism and separatism, they are hardly likely to encourage trade, energy flows, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges in parallel,” he said in a thinly-veiled reference to Pakistan.
At the same time, in an apparent reference to the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), EAM Jaishankar pointed out that cooperation must recognize “territorial integrity and sovereignty”. Emphasizing that cooperation must be based on mutual respect and sovereign equality, he stated, “It should recognize territorial integrity and sovereignty. It must be built on genuine partnerships, not unilateral agendas. It cannot progress if we cherry-pick global practices, especially of trade and transit,” he asserted.
EAM Jaishankar also noted that the world was moving towards multi-polarity and said, “Globalization and rebalancing are realities that cannot be denied. Cumulatively, they have created many new opportunities in terms of trade, investment, connectivity, energy flows and other forms of collaboration. There is no question that our region would benefit immensely if we take this forward”.
He added that the case for ‘reformed multilateralism’ was getting stronger by the day. “Comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council, both in the permanent and non-permanent categories, is essential,” he stated.
Countering Geopolitical Challenges
EAM Jaishankar pointed out that the SCO meeting was taking place “at a difficult time” in world affairs. He stated: “Two major conflicts are underway, each with its own global repercussions. The Covid pandemic has left many in the developing world deeply devastated. Disruptions of various kinds – ranging from extreme climate events to supply chain uncertainties and financial volatility – are impacting growth and development. Debt is a serious concern, even as the world falls behind in achieving SDG targets. Technology holds great promise, as well as raising a new host of concerns. How should the members of the SCO respond to these challenges?”
The answers, EAM Jaishankar pointed out, lay in the SCO’s Charter. “I urge you to reflect on Article 1 that spells out the goals and tasks of the SCO…The objective is to strengthen mutual trust, friendship and good neighbourliness. It is to develop multi-faceted cooperation, especially of a regional nature. It is to be a positive force in terms of balanced growth, integration and conflict prevention. The Charter was equally clear what the key challenges were. And these were primarily three, that the SCO was committed to combatting: one, terrorism; two, separatism; and three, extremism”
‘Need for Industrial Cooperation, Collective Endeavours’
Delivering India’s national statement, EAM Jaishankar also spoke about cooperation and collaboration when it came to industry and business.
“Industrial cooperation can enhance competitiveness and expand labour markets. MSME collaboration has positive implications for employment. Our collective endeavours can expand resources and encourage investment flows.
Business communities will profit through larger networks. Collaborative connectivity can create new efficiencies,” he explained.
He said the world of logistics and energy could undergo a sea change, adding that environmental protection and climate action were ready domains for mutually beneficial exchanges.
“Whether it is health, food or energy security, we are all clearly better off working together. Indeed, even culture, education and sports are promising areas. In effect, there is so much that we can do once we are truly determined to promote that synergy,” he remarked.
EAM Jaishankar also presented an Indian perspective, noting that the country’s global initiatives and national endeavours were strongly relevant for the SCO. In this context, he highlighted the following:
1. The International Solar Alliance promotes renewable energy.
The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure prepares us for climate events.
2. Mission LiFE advocates a sustainable life-style.
3. Practicing Yoga and promoting millets make a difference to wellness and to the environment.
4. The Global Biofuel Alliance recognizes the task of energy transition.
5. The International Big Cat Alliance protects our biodiversity.
“At home, we have demonstrated the value of digital public infrastructure, just as we have shown the impact of women-led development,” he added.
During the course of delivering India’s national statement at the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting, he also flagged lack of trust and absence of good neighbourliness as reasons that needed to be addressed. “If trust is lacking or cooperation inadequate, if friendship has fallen short and good neighbourliness is missing somewhere, there are surely reasons to introspect and causes to address”.
Maintaining that development and growth require peace and stability, he referred to the SCO Charter's emphasis on being firm and uncompromising in countering the ‘three evils’. “If activities across borders are characterized by terrorism, extremism and separatism, they are hardly likely to encourage trade, energy flows, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges in parallel,” he said in a thinly-veiled reference to Pakistan.
At the same time, in an apparent reference to the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), EAM Jaishankar pointed out that cooperation must recognize “territorial integrity and sovereignty”. Emphasizing that cooperation must be based on mutual respect and sovereign equality, he stated, “It should recognize territorial integrity and sovereignty. It must be built on genuine partnerships, not unilateral agendas. It cannot progress if we cherry-pick global practices, especially of trade and transit,” he asserted.
EAM Jaishankar also noted that the world was moving towards multi-polarity and said, “Globalization and rebalancing are realities that cannot be denied. Cumulatively, they have created many new opportunities in terms of trade, investment, connectivity, energy flows and other forms of collaboration. There is no question that our region would benefit immensely if we take this forward”.
He added that the case for ‘reformed multilateralism’ was getting stronger by the day. “Comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council, both in the permanent and non-permanent categories, is essential,” he stated.
Countering Geopolitical Challenges
EAM Jaishankar pointed out that the SCO meeting was taking place “at a difficult time” in world affairs. He stated: “Two major conflicts are underway, each with its own global repercussions. The Covid pandemic has left many in the developing world deeply devastated. Disruptions of various kinds – ranging from extreme climate events to supply chain uncertainties and financial volatility – are impacting growth and development. Debt is a serious concern, even as the world falls behind in achieving SDG targets. Technology holds great promise, as well as raising a new host of concerns. How should the members of the SCO respond to these challenges?”
The answers, EAM Jaishankar pointed out, lay in the SCO’s Charter. “I urge you to reflect on Article 1 that spells out the goals and tasks of the SCO…The objective is to strengthen mutual trust, friendship and good neighbourliness. It is to develop multi-faceted cooperation, especially of a regional nature. It is to be a positive force in terms of balanced growth, integration and conflict prevention. The Charter was equally clear what the key challenges were. And these were primarily three, that the SCO was committed to combatting: one, terrorism; two, separatism; and three, extremism”
‘Need for Industrial Cooperation, Collective Endeavours’
Delivering India’s national statement, EAM Jaishankar also spoke about cooperation and collaboration when it came to industry and business.
“Industrial cooperation can enhance competitiveness and expand labour markets. MSME collaboration has positive implications for employment. Our collective endeavours can expand resources and encourage investment flows.
Business communities will profit through larger networks. Collaborative connectivity can create new efficiencies,” he explained.
He said the world of logistics and energy could undergo a sea change, adding that environmental protection and climate action were ready domains for mutually beneficial exchanges.
“Whether it is health, food or energy security, we are all clearly better off working together. Indeed, even culture, education and sports are promising areas. In effect, there is so much that we can do once we are truly determined to promote that synergy,” he remarked.
EAM Jaishankar also presented an Indian perspective, noting that the country’s global initiatives and national endeavours were strongly relevant for the SCO. In this context, he highlighted the following:
1. The International Solar Alliance promotes renewable energy.
The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure prepares us for climate events.
2. Mission LiFE advocates a sustainable life-style.
3. Practicing Yoga and promoting millets make a difference to wellness and to the environment.
4. The Global Biofuel Alliance recognizes the task of energy transition.
5. The International Big Cat Alliance protects our biodiversity.
“At home, we have demonstrated the value of digital public infrastructure, just as we have shown the impact of women-led development,” he added.
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