If Good Neighbourliness Is Missing…”: S Jaishankar’s Swipe At China, Pakistan

Islamabad:

Speaking about the challenges faced in the region, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in his address at the SCO Summit in Islamabad today made a veiled reference about China and Pakistan.

The foreign minister said, “If trust is lacking or cooperation inadequate, if friendship has fallen short and good neighbourliness is missing somewhere, there are surely reasons to introspect and causes to address,” adding that “It is only when we reaffirm our commitment most sincerely to the Charter that we can fully realise the benefits of cooperation and integration that it envisages.”

Mr Jaishankar’s remarks come at a time where relations both with China and Pakistan are severely strained due to issues of terrorism from Pakistan and military standoffs with China along the Line of Actual Control.

Ties between India and Pakistan have gone into a deep-freeze as India has made it clear that dialogue can happen only in an atmosphere “free of terror” and that the ball is now in Pakistan’s court for them to end the scourge of terrorism. As for China, ties have diminished to the very minimum after Beijing’s multiple unilateral actions along the Line of Actual Control over the last few years. There can be no cooperation when there is no trust, and that is what Mr Jaishankar highlighted in his subtle, yet clearly evident reference to the two neighbours.