Did EAM Jaishankar Discuss Key Global Issues with Russia and Iran?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- EAM Jaishankar met with key foreign ministers in Tianjin.
- Focus on enhancing bilateral ties with Russia and Iran.
- Discussions included global challenges like Ukraine and the Middle East.
- Importance of the 75th anniversary of the India-Iran Friendship Treaty.
- First visit to China since the Galwan Valley incident.
Tianjin (China), July 15 (NationPress) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar engaged in crucial discussions with the Foreign Ministers of Russia and Iran during the SCO Foreign Ministers Council meeting held in Tianjin, China.
"Today, I reviewed our bilateral cooperation and global developments with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov of Russia in Tianjin," EAM Jaishankar shared on X after his meeting with Lavrov.
Moscow highlighted that the two foreign ministers addressed significant topics concerning both bilateral and international agendas, including future contact schedules.
"They reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the multifaceted Russian-Indian special privileged strategic partnership across all levels. Special focus was given to the situations in Ukraine and the Middle East. They agreed to continue harmonizing their approaches to collaboration between Russia and India in key multilateral platforms," stated the Russian Foreign Ministry.
EAM Jaishankar also had a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi.
"It was good to reconnect with FM Araghchi of Iran during the SCO Foreign Ministers Meeting in Tianjin," he remarked.
Araghchi had previously visited New Delhi in May to co-chair the 20th Joint Commission Meeting between India and Iran, marking his first visit to India since taking office as Foreign Minister in August 2024.
The Joint Commission Meeting, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the India-Iran Friendship Treaty, assessed mutual interests and future cooperation strategies.
Earlier that day, EAM Jaishankar met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, delivering warm greetings from President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
This interaction was part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers' engagement with the Chinese President.
In a subsequent post on X, Jaishankar noted, "I had the opportunity to meet President Xi Jinping this morning in Beijing alongside my fellow SCO Foreign Ministers. I conveyed greetings from President Droupadi Murmu & Prime Minister Narendra Modi and updated him on recent developments in our bilateral relations. I value the guidance of our leaders in this regard."
This visit marks EAM Jaishankar's first trip to China since the violent clashes in Galwan Valley in May 2020, as he attends the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Tianjin.
The previous day, he engaged in numerous high-level meetings aimed at enhancing dialogue and cooperation with Chinese officials.
He met with Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee (IDCPC), discussing the necessity for a constructive India-China relationship.
A bilateral meeting was also held with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, a senior member of the CPC Political Bureau.