During his address at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari urged member nations to work together to eliminate terrorism and avoid using it as a tool for diplomatic advantage. Zardari, who was on a two-day visit to India, stressed that the collective security of SCO member states was a shared responsibility.
Zardari emphasized the importance of peace and stability in Afghanistan, stating that it was essential for regional integration, economic cooperation, and global peace. He also highlighted the need for nations to avoid unilateral and illegal measures that violate international law and Security Council resolutions, as these actions undermine the SCO’s objectives.
In his speech, Zardari emphasized the importance of increased cooperation and regional integration within the SCO framework. He expressed that when powerful nations act as peacemakers, the potential for peace, cooperation, and economic opportunities for the people in the region can be unlocked.
The foreign minister reiterated Pakistan’s strong commitment to the SCO. He pointed out that his presence at the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) meeting in India demonstrated Pakistan’s importance to the organization. He underscored the SCO’s role in enhancing regional connectivity, saying that it could be a vital platform for realizing the vision of Eurasian connectivity.
Read: Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari Attends SCO Meeting in Goa Amid Indian Media Attention
Additionally, Zardari addressed the challenges posed by climate change, stating that it represents an existential threat to humanity. He noted that Pakistan has emerged as an important voice in the global discourse on climate change and called for greater collaboration within the SCO to combat this crisis.
Zardari also advocated for closer cooperation in poverty alleviation within the organization, highlighting the need for a Special Working Group on Poverty Alleviation proposed by Pakistan.
During his visit, the foreign minister met with his Indian counterpart, S Jaishnakar, which has renewed optimism for a thaw in relations between India and Pakistan. The two countries are part of the SCO, along with China, Russia, and key Central Asian states. India, the current chair of the eight-nation bloc, is hosting several events, including the CFM, which has gained exceptional attention this year due to the presence of high-level representatives like Zardari.
