By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday held a meeting with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Foreign Ministers Council meeting in China’s Tianjin and reviewed bilateral cooperation between India and Russia, according to MEA..
Jaishankar posted on X after his meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister “Reviewed our bilateral cooperation and global developments with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov of Russia in Tianjin this afternoon,”.
“Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Minister of External Affairs of India @DrSJaishankar hold a meeting on the sidelines of the #SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting” in a post on X, Russia’s Foreign Ministry shared.”
Moscow asserted that the heads of the foreign ministries discussed important topics on the bilateral and international agenda, as well as the schedule of upcoming contacts.
“They confirmed their mutual commitment to further intensifying the multifaceted Russian-Indian special privileged strategic partnership at all levels. They paid special attention to the situation around Ukraine and the Middle East. They agreed to continue coordinating approaches to interaction between Russia and India in key multilateral formats,” the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement.
Jaishankar also met Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the meeting.
In a post on X, the External Affairs Minister said, “Good to catch up with FM @araghchi of Iran, this time on the sidelines of the SCO Foreign Ministers Meeting in Tianjin.””
Araghchi had visited New Delhi in May to co-chair the 20th Joint Commission Meeting between India and Iran. It was his first visit to India since assuming office as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran in August 2024.
The Joint Commission Meeting held on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the signing of the India-Iran Friendship Treaty, reviewed issues of mutual interest between the two countries and the way forward in strengthening bilateral relations.
Jaishankar also met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, conveyed warm greetings from President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The interaction took place as part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Council of Foreign Ministers’ call on the Chinese President.
Jaishankar wrote on X “Called on President Xi Jinping this morning in Beijing along with my fellow SCO Foreign Ministers. Conveyed the greetings of President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Apprised President Xi of the recent development of our bilateral ties. Value the guidance of our leaders in that regard.”
On Monday, the EAM held multiple high-level meetings to deepen dialogue and cooperation with Chinese officials.
He met Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee and discussed the need for a constructive India-China relationship.
He also held a bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, a senior member of the CPC Political Bureau.
