At SCO meet, Jaishankar highlights India's focus on startups, medicine, and digital tools

Sharing the highlights of his participation at the SCO Foreign Ministers' Meeting through a post on X, Jaishankar said India remains open to new ideas that genuinely benefit the region, but stressed that cooperation must be built on mutual respect, equal sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

India has taken several initiatives in the SCO in domains ranging from startup and innovation to traditional medicine and digital public infrastructure. We will continue to positively approach new ideas and proposals that are genuinely for our collective good," he wrote.

He also pointed out that deeper regional collaboration requires more trade, investment, and connectivity. However, he raised concerns about the lack of assured transit within the SCO region, calling it a major barrier to economic cooperation.

"Deepening collaboration within the SCO naturally requires more trade, investment and exchanges. For that to move to the next level, it is imperative that we address some current issues. One of them is the lack of assured transit within the SCO space. Its absence undermines the seriousness of advocating cooperation in economic areas. Another is to ensure the promotion of the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC). We are confident that it will continue to gather momentum, " the post read.

Jaishankar concluded by saying that the world is moving towards greater multipolarity, and organisations like the SCO must come together on a shared, inclusive agenda.