External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has been at the forefront of India’s diplomatic push, engaging in a whirlwind of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session. Over the past two days, Jaishankar held discussions with counterparts from diverse nations, covering critical topics such as bilateral cooperation, regional dynamics, global conflicts, and economic connectivity, reinforcing India’s growing influence on the world stage.
In a Tuesday evening meeting with David van Weel, NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges from the Netherlands, Jaishankar delved into Europe’s strategic positioning and India’s perspective on global security. His discussion with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen focused on the Ukraine conflict, recent European developments, and deepening India-EU ties, especially under Denmark’s upcoming Presidency of the EU Council. Jaishankar expressed appreciation for Rasmussen’s insights and emphasized the potential for enhanced bilateral and EU-India cooperation.
Closer to home, Jaishankar met Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath to review progress in bilateral initiatives, underscoring India’s commitment to strengthening ties with its neighbor. Similarly, discussions with Mauritian Foreign Minister Ritish Ramful centered on actionable follow-ups to the recent state visit of Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam to India, aiming to deepen the strategic partnership.
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Jaishankar also reaffirmed India’s unwavering support for the Maldives during a meeting with Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel, focusing on developmental cooperation. His engagements extended to ministers from Lesotho (Lejone Mpotjoana), Suriname (Melvin Bouva), Somalia (Abdisalam Ali), Saint Lucia (Alva Baptiste), and Jamaica (Kamina J Smith). In his meeting with Smith, Jaishankar congratulated her on her reappointment and expressed optimism about elevating India-Jamaica relations to new heights.
Beyond ministerial talks, Jaishankar held a productive discussion with Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, exploring global economic trends and their implications for logistics and connectivity. He also participated in an informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers hosted by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, where discussions spanned multilateralism, the India-EU partnership, the Ukraine and Gaza conflicts, and energy and trade dynamics.
A brief yet impactful exchange with Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan during a High-Level Meeting of Like-Minded Global South Countries further highlighted India’s proactive role in fostering Global South solidarity. Through these engagements, Jaishankar showcased India’s commitment to addressing global challenges while strengthening strategic partnerships across continents, cementing its position as a key player in international diplomacy.
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