External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Vientiane, Laos, on Friday. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. A photo shared by the Russian Embassy in India captured the moment as both ministers greeted each other with smiles and handshakes.
The Russian Embassy’s social media update highlighted the meeting, noting that Lavrov and Jaishankar engaged in discussions about their countries' relationship and global issues. This meeting follows their previous interaction during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of State Council meeting in Astana.
During the Astana meeting on July 3, Jaishankar had expressed strong concerns about Indian nationals in the conflict zones of Russia. The conversation also covered the broader global strategic landscape and involved exchanging views on contemporary issues.
On social media, Jaishankar reflected on their recent discussions, noting progress in various areas since their last meeting in December 2023. He emphasised the importance of addressing concerns about Indian nationals and continuing dialogue on global strategic matters.
Earlier in the day, Jaishankar, who is in Vientiane from July 25 to 28, participated in the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. He reiterated that ASEAN is a cornerstone of India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision. Enhancing political, economic, and security cooperation with ASEAN remains a priority for India.
Jaishankar also expressed his gratitude to Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan for his well-wishes on Jaishankar’s reappointment. He looks forward to working with the Philippines, which will soon take over as the ASEAN country coordinator, and praised Laos for its chairmanship of ASEAN.
Additionally, Jaishankar welcomed Timor-Leste as an observer in the meeting. He announced that India would soon open an embassy in Timor-Leste, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's earlier commitment. High-level visits to Timor-Leste are also planned.
Jaishankar concluded by expressing appreciation for the efforts to strengthen ASEAN-India relations and looked forward to continued cooperation under the ASEAN-India Plan of Action.
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