Addressing the meeting, EAM S Jaishankar also called for zero tolerance for terrorism in all its manifestations

There is an urgent need to address the global energy and food crisis caused by disruptions from the Covid-19 pandemic and the Ukraine conflict, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers meeting in Tashkent on Friday. He also reiterated that zero tolerance for terrorism in all its manifestations is a must.

Taking to Twitter, EAM Jaishankar shared some of the important points he raised during the meeting.

"Participated in the SCO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting at Tashkent. Highlighted that world faces an energy and food crisis due to disruptions from the Covid pandemic and Ukraine conflict. This needs to be urgently addressed."

“Response required includes resilient and diversified supply chains as well as reformed multilateralism. Zero tolerance for terrorism in all its manifestations is a must,” he added.

In another tweet, he said, "Reiterated India’s position on Afghanistan and highlighted our humanitarian support: wheat, medicines, vaccines and clothing. Underlined the potential of Chabahar port for SCO’s economic future”. EAM Jaishankar also highlighted the economic progress in India, stressing the relevance of startups and innovation.

Apart from India, Foreign Ministers of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan also participated. The meeting discussed the preparations for the forthcoming SCO Summit of Heads of State scheduled to be held in Samarkand on 15-16 September 2022 and witnessed a dialogue on international and regional issues, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

EAM Jaishankar was in Tashkent at the invitation of Uzbekistan Acting Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov to take part in the meeting of SCO Council of Foreign Ministers.

During his stay, he called on Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and told him that India would wholeheartedly support the Samarkand Summit. Tweeting about this, he wrote, "Pleased to call on Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev along with SCO colleagues this morning. Conveyed the personal greetings of PM @narendramodi. Appreciated the momentum generated by Uzbek Presidency in fields of security, economy, trade, connectivity and culture."

EAM Jaishankar also held bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the SCO FMM with counterparts from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and with the Secretary General of the SCO.

"Glad to meet gracious host Vladimir Norov, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan. Took stock of our bilateral cooperation, especially development partnership. Spoke about connectivity challenges to be addressed through regional collaboration," he tweeted.

On the sidelines of the SCO Foreign Ministers’ meet, EAM Jaishankar met Kyrgyzstan’s Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev, Secretary-General of SCO Zhang Ming, and Tajikistan’s Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin. He also chaired a meeting with Indian Ambassadors who are currently serving in Central Asian countries.

"Departing Tashkent after a productive SCO FMs gathering. Bilateral meetings with Uzbek, Tajik, Kyrgyz and Kazakh counterparts advanced the India-Central Asia Summit process. Conversation on the sidelines with FM Sergey Lavrov of Russia was also useful," EAM Jaishankar tweeted on Saturday.