Jaishankar talks LAC standoff with China’s Qin, multilateral ties with Russia’s Lavrov

Jaishankar also met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and they went for a “comprehensive review” of “bilateral, global and multilateral cooperation”.

These meetings took place ahead of the Friday huddle of the Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) countries.

Qin was received at the Goa airport by Shilpak Ambule, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, the officer in charge of China, Japan and the Koreas, apart from being the head of Jaishankar’s office.

Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar said, “A detailed discussion with State Councillor and FM Qin Gang of China on our bilateral relationship. Focus remains on resolving outstanding issues and ensuring peace and tranquillity in the border areas. Also discussed SCO, G20 and BRICS.”

After their meeting on March 2 on the sidelines of the gathering of G20 Foreign Ministers in New Delhi, Jaishankar had described the current state of the bilateral relations as “abnormal” as they discussed the border standoff.

Jaishankar also met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and they went for a “comprehensive review” of “bilateral, global and multilateral cooperation”. (ANI)

He had said that the “bulk of our conversation” was on the “current state of our relationship” which he called “abnormal”. “Those are the adjectives I used in that meeting,” Jaishankar said, adding that there are “real problems” and the two sides “need to talk about it openly and candidly”.

No such strongly-worded articulation was made Thursday.

After meeting Lavrov, Jaishankar said, “Comprehensive review of our bilateral, global and multilateral cooperation with FM Sergey Lavrov of Russia. Appreciated Russia’s support for India’s SCO presidency. Also discussed issues pertaining to G20 and BRICS.”

The Russian Foreign Ministry said “a trust-based exchange of views on the main issues of bilateral relations, including the schedule of upcoming contacts, as well as topical issues on the global and regional agenda took place. The ministers praised the dynamics of cooperation in key areas of the special and privileged strategic partnership between our countries.”

The Russian statement said “the intention to further strengthen coordination to develop common approaches within the framework of interaction at the most important international platforms, including the SCO, BRICS, the UN and the G20 was confirmed.”

“The Sides agreed to continue following the course of building a fair multipolar system of interstate relations,” it said.

Lavrov’s statements were clearly aimed at the US-led Western bloc which Moscow feels is trying to build a West-dominated world order.

Jaishankar also held talks with SCO Secretary General Zhang Ming with a focus on the overall agenda of the grouping.

“Started my meetings at SCO CFM with a productive interaction with Secretary General Zhang Ming. Appreciate his support for India’s SCO Presidency,” he tweeted.

The “Indian presidency is driven by a commitment to SECURE SCO. Its key focus areas are startups, traditional medicine, youth empowerment, Buddhist heritage and science & technology. Looking forward to a successful CFM in Goa,” he said.

The SCO Foreign Ministers’ meeting Friday is expected to discuss the agenda for the Summit in Delhi to be held on July 3 and 4.

Sources said the Foreign Ministers will discuss issues pertaining to inclusion of English as a “working language”, apart from Chinese and Russian, in the SCO. They will also discuss the inclusion of two new members, Iran and Belarus, during the SCO Summit in Delhi in July this year.

India, sources said, will also take the lead in two new areas – startups and innovation, and traditional medicine – during the SCO meeting. All these issues will be discussed and the groundwork prepared for the July Summit in Delhi to be hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif are among those expected at the gathering of leaders.

The SCO Foreign Ministers’ meeting is taking place at a time when the Russia-Ukraine war is in its second year, and there has been a global impact on energy, food and fertiliser security.