'Terrorism, Extremism, Separatism': S Jaishankar Cites '3 Evils' At SCO Summit In Pakistan

Islamabad: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delivered a address speech at the SCO summit in Islamabad on Monday, where he indirectly took a dig at neighboring Pakistan on the issue of cross-border terrorism, stating the importance of peace and stability as essential factors for fostering development and growth. 

Jakshankar arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday evening for a two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of Government meeting, marking the first visit by an Indian Foreign Minister to Pakistan in nearly nine years. 

Countering the 'three evils

 "It is axiomatic that development and growth require peace and stability. As outlined in the SCO Charter, this means being firm and uncompromising in countering the 'three evils.' If cross-border activities are characterized by terrorism, extremism, and separatism, they are unlikely to foster trade, energy flows, connectivity, or people-to-people exchanges," he said during the ongoing summit in Islamabad.

He further noted the challenges impacting growth, stating, "Disruptions of various kinds, such as extreme climate events, supply chain uncertainties, and financial volatility, are impacting growth." 

"But most of all, our endeavours will progress only when our commitment to the Charter remains firm. 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'." "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 in parallel," Jaishankar said.

Morning Walk in Indian High Commision

EAM's morning went out on a morning stroll on the campus of High Commission of India in Islamabad.

During his morning stroll, he was accompanied by the staff members of the Indian High Commision in  Pakistan  .

Jaishankar Attends Dinner Hosted by Pak PM

Jaishankar attended a dinner hosted by Pakistan 's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the visiting delegates the previous night.  He also exchanged pleasantries with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at a dinner reception hosted by the PM at his residence in honour of the delegates of the SCO member countries.  

This is the first visit by a senior Indian minister to Pakistan in nearly nine years amid continuing strain in relations between the two neighbours.
The last visit to Pakistan by a foreign minister was in 2015 by Sushma Swaraj. She had travelled to Islamabad in December 2015 to attend a conference on Afghanistan.