At the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delivered a pointed message regarding terrorism, identifying what he termed the “three evils” that perpetuate this global menace. His remarks were widely interpreted as a veiled critique of Pakistan, highlighting the country’s role in supporting terrorism.

“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 at the two-day summit.

Jaishankar emphasized the need for collective action against these evils, which he described as terrorism, radicalization, and separatism. He urged member nations to recognize the interconnected nature of these threats and to collaborate more effectively to combat them. His comments come amid ongoing concerns about the rise of extremist ideologies and their impact on regional stability.

The minister’s speech underscored India’s firm stance on the issue of terrorism, particularly in the context of its historical tensions with Pakistan. By calling attention to the “three evils,” Jaishankar sought to rally support among SCO members for a unified approach to countering the spread of terrorism and promoting peace.

This strong message aligns with India’s broader strategy to address security challenges in the region and to hold nations accountable for harboring or supporting terrorist activities. As the SCO continues to play a pivotal role in regional diplomacy, Jaishankar’s remarks serve as a reminder of the ongoing complexities in South Asian geopolitics and the urgent need for cooperation to combat the threats posed by terrorism.