New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Jaishankar on Tuesday held talks with his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein on the sidelines of the UNGA meeting and discussed the historical ties, economic energy and development cooperation linkages.
Jaishankar arrived in New York on Monday to attend the 76th session of the UN General Assembly. "A cordial meeting with FM Fuad Hussein of Iraq. Discussed our historical ties, economic, energy and development cooperation linkages. Exchanged views on regional and global issues", Jaishankar tweeted.
This comes at a time the world is witnessing the massive tragedy unfold in Afghanistan with the Taliban take over. India has been in touch and holding talks with other major stakeholders in the region to discuss the situation in Afghanistan and other global issues.
Last week, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met the visiting Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia H.H. Prince Faisal bin Farhan al Saud at Hyderabad house in New Delhi.
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It was the first ministerial visit from Saudi Arabia to India since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Both Ministers discussed all issues related to their bilateral relationship and regional and international issues of mutual interest, the MEA said,
"A cordial and productive meeting with Saudi FM HH Faisal bin Farhan. Discussed our cooperation in the political, security and socio-cultural pillars of our strategic partnership. Very useful exchange of views on Afghanistan, the Gulf and the Indo-Pacific", Jaishankar said in a tweet.
Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the UNGA, EAM Jaishankar will be holding a series of bilateral and multilateral meetings with foreign ministers and is also scheduled to participate in the G4 foreign ministers meet on 22 September.
However, it is yet to be confirmed if the MEA will be attending the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation's (SAARC) meeting scheduled for 29 September. India is also likely to participate in a meeting to be hosted by Qatar in Afghanistan, according to sources.
UN General Assembly's high-level debate week is expected to begin today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the debate of the 76th session of the UNGA. On a similar note, US President Biden will also address the UNGA where he is expected to emphasize ending military engagement with Afghanistan and the beginning of the United States new chapter of diploma.
The UNGA meeting this year is in a hybrid format but a large number of world leaders are expected to converge in New York.
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