External Affairs Minister Jaishankar meets UN chief Antonio Guterres, UNGA president Philemon Yang; discusses multilateral reforms, global issues

By R Anil Kumar

UN, September 28. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and UN General Assembly’s new president Philemon Yang, in New York, separately, exchanging views on global issues such as the conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine while supporting Mr. Yang’s vision of “unity in diversity”, “peace” and “human sustainability”.

Mr. Jaishankar is in the US to attend the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and met Mr. Guetteres and Mr. Yang on the sidelines of the UNGA session (September 27, 2024).

“Always a pleasure to speak with @UN Secretary General @antonioguterres. Discussed the Pact for the Future, reforming multilateralism, AI, climate action, West Asia and Ukraine,” Mr. Jaishankar said in a post on X.

World leaders on Sunday (September 22, 2024) adopted by consensus the ‘Pact of the Future’, promising to reform the 15-member UN Security Council, “recognising the urgent need to make it more representative, inclusive, transparent, efficient, effective, democratic and accountable”.

They also agreed to “enlarge” the Security Council to be more representative of the current United Nations membership and reflective of the realities of the contemporary world.

“Pleased to meet new @un_pga Philemon Yang today in New York. Assured him of India’s full support to his vision of Unity in Diversity, Peace, Human Sustainability and Dignity for everyone everywhere,” Mr. Jaishankar said in a separate post.

Mr. Yang also took to X after his meeting with Mr. Jaishankar, appreciating India’s role in promoting the interests of the Global South.

“I had the pleasure to receive India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar today. We discussed the priorities and key issues for #UNGA79, and building on the outcomes of the Summit of the Future. I also appreciated India’s role in advancing the interests of the Global South,” he said.

Jaishankar meets global counterparts on UNGA sidelines in New York.

On the sidelines of the UNGA session, he also met Belarusian Foreign Minister Maksim Ryzhenkov and discussed “possibilities in health, education, technology and deepening economic linkages”.

Mr. Jaishankar met his Romanian counterpart Luminita Odobescu and “took stock of our growing bilateral engagements in tourism, defence and mobility. Exchanged perspectives on Ukraine,” he said in a post on X.

Mr. Jaishankar also had a “good first meeting” with his Swedish counterpart Maria Malmer Stenergard. “Spoke about deepening our bilateral relationship in fields of sustainable development, investments and skilled workers’ mobility. Exchanged perspectives on Ukraine and Indo-Pacific,” he said in a separate X post.

On the sidelines of the UNGA session, he also met Montenegro’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ervin Ibrahimovic. “Our conversation focussed on advancing cooperation in business, health and tourism,” he said on X.

He met his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita, with whom he discussed “bilateral cooperation and shared goal of reformed multilateralism.” Mr. Jaishankar also had a “warm first meeting” with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and discussed the “steady progress in the bilateral ties and exchanged views on developments in the region.”

He also spoke about “India’s increasing cooperation with the Mediterranean region” during his meeting with his Slovenian counterpart Tanja Fajon.

Mr. Jaishankar also met the Foreign Minister of Jordan Ayman Safadi. “Our discussions revolved around the ongoing situation in West Asia,” he said in a post on X. He also met world leaders, including President Prithvirajsing Roopun of Mauritius and his counterparts Amery Browne from Trinidad and Tobago, and Albert Shingiro from Burundi.

Jaishankar reiterates India’s dedication to strengthen ties with BIMSTEC

He said that this commitment aligns with India’s Neighbourhood First Policy, Vision SAGAR, and Act East Policy.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reiterated India’s dedication to strengthening ties with BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) during a meeting of foreign ministers on Friday.

He said that this commitment aligns with India’s Neighbourhood First Policy, Vision SAGAR, and Act East Policy.

Sharing a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, “Chaired the BIMSTEC informal Foreign Ministers’ meeting in New York, in preparation for the BIMSTEC Leaders’ Summit.”

The EAM further said that the meeting focused on improving maritime and digital connectivity. He said, “Took stock of our close cooperation in health, food security, trade, investment, economy and energy. Focused on improving physical, maritime and digital connectivity across the region. Explored opportunities for capacity building, skill development and improving people-to-people ties. Development of BIMSTEC Centres of Excellence is a collective resolve. Reaffirmed India’s commitment for wider engagement with BIMSTEC in line with Neighbourhood First, Vision SAGAR and Act East Policy.”

Also, Jaishankar attended the India-CARICOM (Caribbean Community and Common Market) Foreign Ministers meeting on Friday. Taking to X, he wrote, “A great meeting of the India-CARICOM Foreign Ministers today. Co-chaired with FM Dr. Vince Henderson of Dominica. Discussions around upgrading our partnership and deepening cooperation in health, IT, FinTech, capacity building, renewables and food security. Our bonds with CARICOM draw from past experiences, address current needs and aspire towards a brighter future.”

Jaishankar also co-chaired the India-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on the sidelines of the 79th UNGA. The key issues of the meeting included Digital Public Infrastructure, health, clean energy and capacity building.

Sharing pictures on X, Jaishankar wrote, “Co-chaired India-CELAC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting alongside FM Enrique Reina today in New York. Our political cooperation and deepening economic linkages advance South-South cooperation. Agenda included Digital Public Infrastructure, health, clean energy and capacity building. Highlighted possibilities for greater engagement in AI, e-mobility, space, smart agriculture and drones. India and CELAC have a shared commitment to reformed multilateralism.”