SCO must stop terror financing: Jaishankar says at bloc meeting

INDIAN external affairs minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday (14) said at a high-profile meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, that combating terrorism and extremism is the grouping’s key purpose and it must put an end to terror financing.

Jaishankar’s counterparts from Pakistan, China and Russia were also present at the meeting.

In his address, the external affairs minister called the situation in Afghanistan, which has seen a growing violence amid the US’s pulling out of its territory and the resurgence of the Taliban, as well as public health and economic recovery as pressing issues the region is facing.

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Jaishankar later tweeted, “Spoke at the FMM of SCO this morning at Dushanbe. Afghanistan, public health and economic recovery are pressing issues. Combating terrorism and extremism is the key purpose of SCO. Must stop terror financing and deter digital facilitation.”

'The challenge is to act seriously & sincerely'

On Afghanistan, he said, "The challenge is to act seriously and sincerely on these beliefs. Because there are forces at work with a very different agenda. The world is against seizure of power by violence and force. It will not legitimise such actions."

The Indian diplomat also highlighted the “One Earth One Health” message and sought universal vaccination to deal with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic that has hit millions worldwide. He also spoke on reformed multilateralism and focused on the need to rejuvenate the same domain.

Earlier, Jaishankar said in a separate tweet that the 20th year of setting up of the SCO is an apt time for the grouping to reflect on its achievements and deliberate on challenges.

“Afghanistan and post-Covid recovery are pressing concerns,” he said.

The SCO, which comprises eight members, is considered a counterweight to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and has emerged over the past few years as one of the largest trans-regional international bodies. India and Pakistan became permanent members of the SCO in 2017. The bloc had succeeded the Shanghai Five grouping in 2001 and its other six members are China, Russia, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

India became an observer at the SCO in 2005 and has generally taken part in the ministerial-level meetings of the bloc which mainly focuses on security and economic cooperation in the Eurasian region.