External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Friday during the ASEAN events in Vientiane, Laos. The two leaders were seen sharing a friendly moment as they shook hands, with a photograph of their meeting posted on the Russian Embassy’s social media account.
🇷🇺🇮🇳 #Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and #India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S.Jaishankar @DrSJaishankar met on the sidelines of #ASEAN events.
📍 Vientiane, July 26, 2024#RussiaIndia #DruzhbaDosti pic.twitter.com/GBRrbrnhvL
— Russia in India 🇷🇺 (@RusEmbIndia) July 26, 2024
This meeting followed their previous encounter at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of State Council meeting in Astana earlier in July. During that meeting, Jaishankar expressed serious concerns about Indian nationals in conflict zones in Russia. The two leaders also discussed the global strategic landscape and exchanged their views on current issues.
In his social media post, Jaishankar described the meeting with Lavrov as productive, noting that they had a “wide-ranging conversation” about their bilateral partnership and contemporary issues. He emphasized the progress made since their last meeting in December 2023 and reiterated his concerns about the safety of Indian nationals in the war zone. Jaishankar stressed the need for their safe and speedy return and discussed global strategic matters with Lavrov.
Good to meet Russian FM Sergey Lavrov in Astana today.
Wide ranging conversation on our bilateral partnership and contemporary issues. Noted the progress in many areas since our last meeting in December 2023.
Raised our strong concern on Indian nationals who are currently in… pic.twitter.com/pPlM4HSesr
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 3, 2024
Jaishankar is currently in Vientiane for the ASEAN meeting, which he has attended from July 25 to 28. In his remarks at the meeting, Jaishankar highlighted the importance of political, economic, and security cooperation with ASEAN countries. He emphasized that ASEAN is a key component of India’s Act East policy and the Indo-Pacific vision, and he is keen to strengthen people-to-people links with the region.
My remarks at the Opening Session of the ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers Meeting in Vientiane today. pic.twitter.com/Il850j6Su7
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 26, 2024
Jaishankar also expressed his gratitude to Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore’s Foreign Minister, for his well-wishes on Jaishankar’s reappointment. He looked forward to future collaboration with Balakrishnan and acknowledged his role as the current ASEAN country coordinator. As the Philippines prepares to take over as the next country coordinator, Jaishankar expressed his eagerness to work closely with Enrique Manalo, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines.
Jaishankar extended his congratulations to Laos for its chairmanship of ASEAN and offered India’s full support for a successful tenure. He also appreciated the warm welcome and hospitality provided by Laos. Additionally, he welcomed Timor-Leste as an observer in the ASEAN meetings and announced India’s plans to open an embassy in Timor-Leste in Delhi, along with high-level visits to the country.
In closing, Jaishankar thanked all participants for their efforts to strengthen ASEAN-India relations and expressed his anticipation for further discussions and cooperation under the ASEAN India Plan of Action.
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