ISLAMABAD: Combating terrorism , extremism and separatism – characterised as “3 evils’’ by the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation ( SCO ) since its inception in 2001 – is essential for the Eurasian group to realise its goals of balanced growth and integration, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said, addressing the 23 rd meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government in Islamabad. However, Jaishankar did not name or single out Pakistan and ensured his remarks fell strictly under the ambit of the SCO Charter that doesn’t allow bilateral issues to be raised at the forum. Without skirting round the issue of terrorism though, the minister said activities across borders characterized by terrorism, extremism and separatism would be detrimental to trade, energy flows, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges Jaishankar sought an honest conversation on the issue saying, “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”.
He said attaining these original SCO objectives was even more important in an uncertain world marred by conflicts and debt. “It is axiomatic that development and growth requires peace and stability. And as the Charter spelt out, this means being firm and uncompromising in countering the three evils,’’ said the minister.
In a message to both China and Pakistan, the minister also said SCO cooperation in .
