External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s Statement on Terrorism and SCO’s Role in Combating Terrorism

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that the Pahalgam terrorist attack was carried out to harm the Jammu and Kashmir economy and to “sow a religious divide.”

• He called for the SCO to take an “uncompromising position” on the challenge of terrorism and referred to the UNSC resolution issued in April about the attack.

• Jaishankar’s comments came a month after the SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting failed to issue a joint statement following differences over the references to terrorism.

• He also held bilateral talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

• Jaishankar’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping came a day after he held bilateral talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and called on Chinese Vice President Han Zheng.

• He emphasized the importance of upholding international law and implementing relevant UNSC resolutions to resolve long-standing disputes.

• He also criticized Pakistan for closing transit for India-Afghanistan trade and advocated for the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) that runs through Iran.

• Services exports cut trade deficit by 9.4% in Q1 of this financial year.

• The United States remained the top export destination for India, with exports to that country growing 22.1% to $25.5 billion in Q1 of this financial year.