The foreign minister stressed the value of increased SCO country collaboration in combating terrorism in remarks on the second day of his visit to India. He called for coordinated efforts to address the causes of the problem.
"We share responsibility for the overall safety of our people," he said. "Let's avoid using terrorism as a diplomatic bargaining chip," Bilawal was quoted as saying by the Foreign Office (FO).
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India's Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar, spoke earlier at the SCO gathering and focused on the problem of cross-border terrorism.
According to Indian media, Jaishankar said, "While the world was busy tackling COVID and its ramifications, the problem of terrorism continued unabated. It would be damaging to our security interests to turn our attention away from this threat."
According to the Hindustan Times, Jaishankar stated that the unfolding scenario in Afghanistan as a result of the Taliban's takeover "remains at the center of our attention" and added that the Afghan people's welfare should be prioritized.
The subject of terrorism and Islamabad's commitment to Afghanistan were both mentioned in Bilawal's speech.
The FO reported Bilawal as saying that "unilateral and illegal measures by states in violation of international law and Security Council resolutions run counter to the SCO objectives."
"When great powers play the role of peacemakers, we can unlock the potential of peace while paving the way for greater cooperation, regional integration, and economic opportunities for our peoples," he continued.
According to the FO, Bilawal claimed the SCO could be a "key platform for advancing the idea of Eurasian connectivity."
He was also reported by the FO as affirming Pakistan's devotion to the principles of mutual trust, equality, respect for cultural diversity, and the pursuit of shared development enshrined in the original Shanghai Spirit.
According to the foreign minister, Pakistan continues to play a leading role at all international forums, reiterating its commitment to multilateralism.
Bilawal stated in regards to Afghanistan that "a peaceful and stable Afghanistan is a key not only to regional integration and economic cooperation but also to global peace and stability."
According to the FO, Bilawal argued for increased collaboration for poverty alleviation under the SCO, citing Pakistan's proposal to form the Special Working Group on Poverty Alleviation.
The foreign minister emphasized Pakistan's participation in the international conversation on climate change once more. "The climate crisis poses an existential threat to humanity," he added.
He went on to emphasize the SCO's status as an intergovernmental body, adding that it has facilitated mutual understanding, security, and development through constructive and mutually beneficial cooperation.
According to a statement from the FO, Bilawal met Sirojiddin Muhriddin, the foreign minister of Tajikistan, earlier today outside of the SCO summit.
The ministers agreed to significantly bolster economic relationships and the early completion of connectivity projects, including the CASA-1000, after discussing a wide range of bilateral interactions.
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A video from the meeting, which was also posted by Bilawal, showed the ministers there with their delegations.
Bilawal said that in addition to talking about economic cooperation, he also touched on the situation in the region surrounding Afghanistan.