Port Louis, April 10 (NationPress) The External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar held discussions with his counterparts from Bhutan and Nepal on the margins of the 9th Indian Ocean Conference in Mauritius on Friday.

Following his talks with Bhutan's Foreign Minister D.N. Dhungyel, EAM Jaishankar remarked that the collaboration between their nations continues to evolve and flourish.

"Had a productive conversation today with Bhutan's Foreign Minister D.N. Dhungyel in Port Louis. Our unique partnership is continuously evolving and thriving," EAM Jaishankar shared on X.

Furthermore, EAM Jaishankar engaged with Nepal's Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal, where they explored ways to maximize the bilateral relationship through enhanced cooperation across various sectors. This meeting marked the first interaction between the two ministers since Khanal took office in March.

"It was a pleasure to meet FM Shishir Khanal of Nepal this afternoon. I congratulated him on his new role. We discussed unlocking the full potential of the India-Nepal partnership through deeper collaboration in diverse sectors," EAM Jaishankar mentioned.

According to a statement from Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both ministers deliberated on topics of mutual interest and reaffirmed their dedication to further strengthening bilateral relations.

"Hon. Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Shishir Khanal, currently attending the 9th Indian Ocean Conference in Port Louis, had a bilateral meeting with Dr. S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India. Dr. Jaishankar extended his congratulations on Mr. Khanal's appointment," noted Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on X.

"The two leaders reflected on the longstanding, multifaceted relationship between Nepal and India. They engaged in constructive and future-oriented discussions on matters of mutual interest, reiterating their commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation," it added.

EAM Jaishankar is visiting Mauritius for the 9th Indian Ocean Conference, where he is also engaging with representatives from other nations.

Earlier, EAM Jaishankar met with Seychelles' Foreign Minister Barry Faure and expressed New Delhi's commitment to assist Victoria in tackling current economic challenges.

He also had the opportunity to meet Mauritius President Dharambeer Gokhool, conveying greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu.

EAM Jaishankar emphasized that their discussions illustrated the strong friendship between the two nations and their shared commitment to advancing bilateral ties.

"It was an honor to meet President Dharambeer Gokhool of Mauritius. I conveyed warm regards from President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Our discussions highlighted the warmth of our friendship and our firm commitment to furthering the India-Mauritius partnership," EAM Jaishankar posted on X.

The External Affairs Minister also met with former Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, expressing gratitude for his dedication to the bilateral partnership.

"I was pleased to meet former Prime Minister and leader of the MSM Party, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth. I appreciate his strong commitment to the India-Mauritius partnership," EAM Jaishankar posted on X after their meeting.