Jaishankar’s New York Meetings Focus On Trade, Ukraine, Bilateral Ties

NEW YORK, NY- External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a series of meetings with foreign leaders and counterparts in New York, discussing bilateral ties, economic cooperation and major international developments ahead of the United Nations General Assembly’s high-level week.

Jaishankar assured Nauru President David Adeang of India’s commitment to the South Pacific nation’s development during their meeting on September 21.

“Appreciate the strong bilateral and multilateral cooperation with Nauru. India remains strongly committed as a development partner,” Jaishankar said on X after the meeting.

Nauru has received assistance for several development projects through the India-UN Development Partnership Fund.

Adeang, president of the strategically positioned Pacific island nation, was among the leaders Jaishankar met on the eve of the start of the General Assembly’s high-level week, which brings together world leaders and senior officials from across the UN’s 193 member states.

Jaishankar also met Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi on September 21 and discussed the Ukraine conflict and bilateral ties. He said the two sides noted progress in their political, economic and educational relations.

With Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, Jaishankar reviewed strengthening economic ties following the entry into force of the India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement.

The agreement with EFTA, comprising Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, entered into force last October.

Jaishankar also met Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, with their conversation focusing on developments over the past few weeks.

The meetings provided an opportunity to discuss bilateral relations as well as major international developments as foreign ministers and world leaders gathered in New York for the General Assembly’s high

-level week.

The day began with a meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. Jaishankar also met Ecuador’s Foreign Minister Roberto Kury, Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar and Hungarian Deputy Prime Minister Anita Orban.

He participated in a meeting with the foreign ministers of the Visegrad Group, comprising Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland.

Later, Jaishankar attended a meeting of foreign ministers from European Union countries and several Indo-Pacific nations. (IANS)

(Couretsy: (Courtesy: https://indiawest.com)