Sushma Swaraj subtly slams Pakistan at SCO Foreign Ministers' meet
Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj made a veiled attack on Pakistan today, saying the global anti-terrorism campaign should also identify States that "encourage, support and finance" terrorism and "provide sanctuary" to terror groups. "We have to work together to wipe out this scourge from the face of the earth. We must unite across our differences, strengthen our resolve and script an effective strategy against terror."
Speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Beijing, Swaraj said terrorism is one of the world's most significant challenges today. Terrorists aren't stopped by borders "as they seek to destroy international stability and build fear in societies that believe in pluralism." The fight "shouldn't only seek to eliminate terrorists," but to identify supporting States too, she said.
Swaraj also batted for implementation of India's proposals. "We should urgently resolve to establish Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism that India proposed more than two decades ago. We are determined to consistently strengthen cooperation within the SCO framework for comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security."
Swaraj called for "peace and development in Afghanistan" to ensure "security and prosperity of the region as a whole." "This can only be achieved through political dialogue and reconciliation in an atmosphere free from terror and violence." Connectivity too is important "to pave the way for cooperation and trust between our societies." For this, respect for sovereignty, inclusivity, transparency and sustainability are imperative, she said.
Commenting on India at the UN, Swaraj said reforms at the UNSC are crucial since it "is increasingly unable, sometimes unwilling, to respond to security challenges of our times." "Reforms of the UN will be incomplete without reforms in the UNSC." India is also committed to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its 2015 Paris Agreement on combating climate change, Swaraj said.
Apart from Swaraj, the meeting was attended by foreign ministers Khawaja Muhammad Asif (Pakistan), Wang Yi (China), Kairat Abdrakhmanov (Kazakhstan), Abdyldaev Erlan Bekeshovich (Kyrgyzstan), Sergey Lavrov (Russia), Sirodjidin Muhridinovich Aslov (Tajikistan), Abdulaziz Khafizovich Kamilov (Uzbekistan), and Secretary General of the SCO Rashid Alimov, among others.
