India will continue to defend itself against all forms of terrorism, says EAM Jaishankar at SCO summit in Moscow

EAM Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reiterating the objective behind the formation of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), said that it is imperative that the global community displays zero tolerance towards terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and New Delhi is well within its right to take steps to curb terrorism in all its forms.

Speaking at one of the sessions of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states in Moscow, Jaishankar said it is within New Delhi's exclusive right to defend its people and the Indian territory against all forms of terrorism.

"We must never forget that the SCO was founded to combat the three evils of terrorism, separatism and extremism. These threats have become even more serious in the years that have passed. It is imperative that the world displays zero tolerance towards terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," remarked the EAM.

Speaking about selective branding of certain terrorist acts, Jaishankar said: There can be no justification, no looking away and no whitewashing, as India has demonstrated, we have the right to defend our people against terrorism, and we will exercise it." He also assured that India will continue to assist the group as the fight against terrorism takes newer shapes.

A meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has kicked off in Moscow. Delegation leaders are first holding talks in a narrow format, followed by a session in an expanded format.

The event is attended by heads of government and senior officials from 10 SCO member states, as well as dialogue partners, observers, interested countries, and executive bodies of several international organizations and associations, including the CIS, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA), and the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD).