External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stepped up India’s diplomatic outreach in New York, holding a series of bilateral meetings with foreign ministers and leaders on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly session. His discussions covered regional conflicts, trade and economic cooperation, energy, pharmaceuticals, multilateral reform and efforts to deepen India’s strategic partnerships with key countries.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has begun an intensive round of diplomatic engagements in New York ahead of his address at the United Nations General Assembly, meeting counterparts from several countries to discuss bilateral relations as well as pressing international developments.
Jaishankar arrived in New York on Sunday as the head of the Indian delegation for the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. He is scheduled to address the General Debate on September 26, when he is expected to present India’s perspective on major global and regional issues.
One of his early engagements was a meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. The two ministers reviewed developments affecting the international situation, including the Ukraine conflict and the crisis in the Gulf region. They also discussed multilateral matters, with reform of the UN Security Council featuring in their deliberations.
Jaishankar described regular meetings and telephone conversations between the two sides as important for sustaining momentum in the India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership. The engagement underlined the broad scope of cooperation between New Delhi and Paris, which extends beyond bilateral matters into wider international affairs.
Economic and development-related cooperation was at the centre of Jaishankar’s discussions with Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Roberto Kury. The two sides explored ways to expand economic relations, particularly in sectors such as energy and pharmaceuticals. They also discussed mobility, capacity-building and personnel training, development partnership and coordination in multilateral forums, including the United Nations.
The External Affairs Minister also met Slovakia’s Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar. Their conversation covered the bilateral agenda as well as possibilities for strengthening cooperation at the multilateral level.
Jaishankar’s engagement with Hungary’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Anita Orban focused on taking the India-Hungary strategic partnership forward. Both sides agreed to work towards expanding bilateral cooperation and giving greater momentum to their strategic relationship.
Switzerland was another important stop in Jaishankar’s diplomatic engagements. During his meeting with Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, the two sides reviewed bilateral relations, economic cooperation and multilateral issues. Particular attention was given to the progress of their economic relationship following the implementation of the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement.
Jaishankar also met Nauru President David Adeang, with discussions covering bilateral ties, economic cooperation and matters of common interest in multilateral forums.
The meetings came after Jaishankar participated in the first Visegrád Group, or V4, and India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The forum brought together foreign ministers from Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, providing an additional platform for India to engage with Central European partners.
Taken together, the engagements reflect the wide-ranging diplomatic activity surrounding India’s participation in the UN General Assembly. From conflicts in Europe and the Gulf to trade, energy, pharmaceuticals and institutional reform at the United Nations, Jaishankar’s meetings have placed both bilateral partnerships and broader multilateral cooperation on the agenda ahead of his September 26 address.
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