Sushma Swaraj  

Terrorism is an overwhelming threat to the international order and countries should cooperate with each other in dealing with this threat, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said in her statement at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) ministerial meeting in Tajikistan. Dwelling on the Indian point of view on regional affairs, the Minister said India would like to host the next round of SCO-Afghanistan discussions.

“Terrorism remains the most overwhelming threat to our common goals of development and prosperity. As the footprint of terrorism expands, governments must assume their national responsibility and cooperate with each other,” Ms. Swaraj said in Dushanbe on Friday.

During the meeting, the Minister also met Chief Executive of Afghanistan Abdullah Abdullah. India extended support for the “Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled” peace process.

“In this context, we welcome the signing of the Protocol of the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group on the sidelines of the Qingdao Summit,” Ms. Swaraj said.

The ministerial meeting in Tajikistan provided a platform for Indian and Pakistani Foreign Ministers when they stood together for a group photograph. Ms Swaraj praised the recent counter-terror exercise of SCO members where Indian and Pakistani military members participated.

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