Need to address energy, food crisis: Jaishankar

He also reiterated India’s position on Afghanistan and highlighted India’s humanitarian support that included wheat, medicines, vaccines and clothing. He also underlined the potential of Chabahar port for SCO’s economic future and spoke of the economic progress in India, stressing the relevance of start-ups and innovation. Cooperation in traditional medicine is in the common interest of SCO members, he said. He described the meeting of Foreign Ministers as “very useful in preparing for the Samarkand summit” — which is likely to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September this year.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov attended the meeting, along with their counterparts from SCO countries. Jaishankar and Wang attended a regional conference in Uzbekistan on Friday, a day after New Delhi voiced concern over a Chinese military ship’s planned visit to a strategic port in Sri Lanka. On Thursday, the External Affairs ministry spokesman said the government was monitoring the visit of the Chinese ship, adding that New Delhi would protect its security and economic interests.