"If Trust Is Lacking...": Jaishankar's Strong SCO Speech in Pakistan Critiques Cross-Border Terrorism

During the SCO meeting in Islamabad on Wednesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar sent a strong message to Pakistan over the problem of cross-border terrorism. He suggested that the country should consider the causes behind the deterioration of ties between the two neighbours. "If trust is lacking or cooperation is inadequate, if the friendship has fallen short and good neighbourliness is missing somewhere, there are surely reasons to introspect and causes to address," Jaishankar stated at the SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) summit. The minister went on, "Without specifically addressing Pakistan, "It is unlikely that cross-border activities that promote terrorism, extremism, and separatism will also foster parallel developments in trade, energy flows, connectivity, and people-to-people interactions." In a social media message before leaving Islamabad, he thanked the Pakistani government, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for their kindness and hospitality. Relations between Pakistan and India Following the Pulwama terror incident in February 2019, India's airplanes struck a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training centre in Balakot, Pakistan, severely straining ties between the two countries. After India stated on August 5, 2019, that it was splitting the state into two union territories and withdrawing Jammu and Kashmir's special powers, the relationship between the two countries further worsened. Following New Delhi's repeal of Article 370, Pakistan reduced its diplomatic relations with India. India has consistently stated that it wants to have regular neigh borly relations with Pakistan, but it also insists that Islamabad must establish an atmosphere free from hatred and terror in order for these contacts to take place. Greetings and exchanges Jaishankar made his speech the day after he greeted Shehbaz Sharif, the prime minister of Pakistan, shortly after arriving in the country's capital to attend a Shanghai Cooperation Organization conference. The brief conversation happened during a dinner party that Sharif threw for the delegates of the SCO member nations at his house. After exchanging cordial handshakes, Jaishankar and Sharif had a brief conversation. The prime minister of Pakistan greeted each and every head of the SCO member country delegation. Around 3:30 pm (local time), Jaishankar's plane touched down at the Nur Khan airfield outside of the Pakistani capital, where he was welcomed by high-ranking Pakistani authorities.