Jaishankar holds series of bilateral meetings on sidelines of UNGA in New York

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a series of bilateral meetings with his foreign counterparts on Monday, discussing regional and global issues on the margins of the high-level UN General Assembly session.

Jaishankar arrived in New York on Sunday, leading the Indian delegation to the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. His engagements on Monday began with a meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. "Our regular meetings and telecons enable us to maintain the momentum of our Special Global Strategic Partnership," Jaishankar said in a social media post, adding that the two discussed the Ukraine and Gulf crises, along with multilateral issues including reform of the UN Security Council.

Following a meeting with Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Roberto Kury, Jaishankar said the two "spoke about strengthening our economic ties, including in energy and pharmaceuticals, mobility, training of personnel, development partnership and cooperation in multilateral fora, including the UN."

After meeting Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar, Jaishankar said that besides the bilateral agenda, the two also discussed ways to deepen multilateral cooperation. He also held what he described as a "great first meeting" with Hungary's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Anita Orban, saying the two "resolved to work together to deepen our ties, as also advance" the bilateral strategic partnership.

Jaishankar is scheduled to address world leaders during the General Debate from the UNGA podium on September 26.