"So, we have been maintaining our momentum of engagements with the SCO. We haven't downplayed the role of the grouping in our foreign policy calculus. India remains fully committed to the SCO," Sajjanhar stated.
"For India, these security concerns are only compounded further due to the history of India-Pakistan relations and the recent political rhetoric by Pakistani politicians. Notwithstanding these issues, EAM's presence at SCO should put all these doubts to rest," the former Ambassador stressed.
"There may be some strong reasons why India couldn't hold a physical summit under its presidency. But there was no let-up in the substantive content during India's SCO presidency," he suggested.
"Now, with Iran also a member, the SCO would serve as a platform for bolstering connectivity cooperation, particularly as India, Iran and Russia work towards linking the Chabahar Port with the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC)," Sajjanhar concluded.