Panaji: Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Friday addressed the SCO-Council of Foreign Ministers meet in Goa and said if great powers would play the roles of peacemakes then, the potential of peace can be unlocked.
During his keynote address at SCO Foreign Ministers’ meeting, the Pakistan minister called for collective attempt to eradicate the menace of terrorism. He said, “Let’s not get caught up in weaponising terrorism for diplomatic point scoring.”
The statement by Bilwal Bhutto came after the EAM S Jaishankar talked about cross- border terrorism in his opening address at the SCO meet and underlined how it continues “unabated”.
He added by saying that it must be stopped in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism.
Zardari reached Goa on Thursday for the crucial the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM). He is the first Pakistani foreign minister to visit India in almost 12 years.
“Unilateral and illegal measures by States in violation of international law and Security Council resolutions run counter to the SCO objectives,” said Bilawal.
Tensed relationship between two countries
It is worth noting that recently, relations between India and Pakistan due to recent terrorist attack on April 20. An Army vehicle passing Bhimber Gali and Poonch in the Rajouri sector of Jammu and Kashmir was fired upon, by unidentified terrorists, likely through grenades, which lead to the death of five soldiers.
As per sources, the terrorists were suspected to have been from the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
In his address, Zardari highlighted SCO’s role as an intergovernmental organization. He said, “SCO has emerged as a platform for promoting mutual understanding, security and development through constructive and mutually beneficial cooperation.”
No handshake, Just Namastey
Earlier in the day when Zaradari reached at a conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, union minister S Jaishankar greeted him with a “Namastey.”
The two-day-long meeting of SCO member states began here on Thursday.
Visuals showed the Jaishankar greeting Zardari in Indian tradition with a “Namastey”, avoiding a handshake.
