New York [US], September 24 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday engaged in a series of bilateral discussions with global leaders on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), focusing on strategic partnerships and international cooperation.
Jaishankar held talks with Netherlands Foreign Minister David van Weel, reviewing European strategic positioning and India’s approach. In a post on X, he said, “Appreciated the meeting with FM David van Weel of the Netherlands this evening in New York. An insightful conversation on European strategic positioning and India’s approach.”
He also met Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath to review bilateral cooperation. Jaishankar tweeted, “Pleasure meeting FM Vijitha Herath of Sri Lanka. Reviewed the progress of our bilateral cooperation.”
Discussions with Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen included the Ukraine crisis and India-EU cooperation under the Danish Presidency. Jaishankar noted, “Appreciated the conversation with FM Lars Løkke Rasmussen of Denmark this evening in New York. Valued his insights on latest developments in Europe and the Ukraine conflict. Also discussed our bilateral ties and India-EU cooperation under the Danish Presidency.”
Further talks were held with Lesotho Foreign Minister Lejone Mpotjoana and Suriname Foreign Minister Melvin Bouva. Jaishankar described these meetings as productive, tweeting, “Pleased to meet FM Lejone Mpotjoana of Lesotho today on the sidelines of the High Level Meeting,” and “Pleasure to get to know FM Melvin Bouva of Suriname today. Appreciate his warm words for our ties.”
In addition, Jaishankar addressed the High-Level Meeting of Like-Minded Global South Countries, highlighting the multifaceted challenges faced by the Global South. He cited aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic, the crises in Gaza and Ukraine, extreme climate events, trade volatility, and slowed progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda.
He said, “We meet in increasingly uncertain times when the state of the world is a cause for mounting concern for member states. The Global South in particular is confronted with a set of challenges which have heightened in the first half of this decade. They include the shocks of the COVID pandemic, two major conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, extreme climate events, volatility in trade, uncertainty in investment flows and interest rates, and the catastrophic slowing down of the SGD agenda.” (ANI)
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