External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar met his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Johannesburg on Thursday. The veteran diplomats discussed the deepening of India-Russia bilateral ties, especially in the backdrop of the changing global scenario in the wake of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
Their discussion also touched upon the war and Lavrov's recent Riyadh visit, where he met with a US delegation. After the meeting, Jaishankar posted a photo with Lavrov on X, previously Twitter. “Glad to meet FM Sergey Lavrov of Russia this evening in Johannesburg. Reviewed the continued progress of India-Russia bilateral cooperation,” he said in the post.
“Discussed recent developments pertaining to the Ukraine conflict, including his Riyadh meeting. Agreed to remain in touch,” the EAM furthered. The Russian Foreign Ministry also shared some takeaways from the meeting. “Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey #Lavrov and Minister of External Affairs of India Dr. @DrSJaishankar hold talks on the sidelines of the #G20 Ministerial,” the ministry wrote in a post on X.
On Thursday, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar held bilateral talks with the Foreign Ministers of Singapore and Brazil. They met on the margins of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa.
While speaking with Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, the two leaders laid emphasis on enhancing bilateral relations and discussed the shifting global order.
“Always a good conversation with FM @VivianBala of Singapore, this time in Johannesburg on the sidelines of G20 FMM. Discussed the state of the world and our work in furthering bilateral ties,” Jaishankar wrote on X. India's External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, is making a two-day trip to South Africa to attend the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting (FMM). He is going to the event at the invitation of South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola.
In a formal press release, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, "EAM's presence at the G20 FMM will enhance India's interaction with G20 nations and further the voice of the Global South in this consequential platform. EAM will have a couple of bilateral meetings in the periphery of the FMM."
South Africa has assumed the presidency of the G20 on December 1, 2024, and will be in office until November 2025. The primary theme of its leadership this year is "Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability."
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