External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a series of meetings with foreign leaders and ministers on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, focusing on bilateral relations, multilateral cooperation and major international developments. His engagements covered issues ranging from regional security and ongoing conflicts to economic, energy and food security.
Jaishankar met Panama President Jose Raul Mulino and discussed bilateral relations and areas of cooperation. He also held talks with Maldives Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam, reviewing the progress of India’s bilateral relationship with the island nation as well as cooperation through multilateral platforms.
West Asia and economic ties featured prominently in Jaishankar’s meeting with Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein. The two officials exchanged views on developments across the region while also discussing India-Iraq economic and energy cooperation.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine was another major subject during Jaishankar’s discussions. In his meeting with Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, the two sides exchanged views on security in Europe and the continuing Russia-Ukraine conflict. They also discussed its broader implications and opportunities for India and Estonia to work together on shared challenges, alongside multilateral cooperation.
Jaishankar also met Ghanaian Foreign Minister Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa to discuss ways to deepen relations between India and Ghana. Their conversation included current regional and global developments.
Global food and energy challenges arising from conflicts were discussed during Jaishankar’s meeting with UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband. The conversation reflected the wider international concerns surrounding the effects of geopolitical instability on essential resources and global security.
The EAM also held discussions with Tajikistan’s Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin, focusing on developments in the region and India’s longstanding bilateral cooperation with the Central Asian country.
His UNGA engagements further included meetings with Barbados Foreign Minister Christopher Peter Sinckler, Armenia’s Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.
The series of meetings reflects the broad diplomatic agenda surrounding India’s participation in UNGA81. Alongside strengthening individual bilateral partnerships, the discussions addressed interconnected global issues involving security, conflicts, energy, food supplies and multilateral cooperation.
Through these engagements, India continued its diplomatic outreach with countries across different regions, including South Asia, Europe, West Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and Southeast Asia, while placing bilateral relationships within the broader context of evolving international challenges.
