New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar met his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov today ahead of the first 2+2 ministerial meeting.
One of the key agendas on the table was Afghanistan and its importance in the Central Asian region, especially after the Taliban takeover which has crucially changed the geopolitical narrative.
Talking about Afghanistan, Jaishankar said, “The situation in Afghanistan has wider repercussions including for Central Asia. Maritime security & safety is another area of shared concern. We both have a common interest in ASEAN centrality and ASEAN-driven platforms.”
This is the first 2+2 meeting between India and Russia at the Sushma Swaraj Bhawan. The External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh have met their Russian counterparts today.
The key agendas for the meeting included key bilateral, regional, and international issues, including the situation in Afghanistan post-Taliban takeover, threats emanating from terror groups, protection of human rights of minorities, women, and children in Afghanistan, reported ANI.
“India-Russia meeting today will address the emergence of multipolarity and rebalancing. We look at the consequence of over-centralized globalisation. Long-standing challenges of terrorism, violent extremism remain among newer challenges,” said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
He also talked about the relation between India and Russia in the evolving geopolitical changes.
“India-Russia partnership is unique. We are very conscious of a world of rapid geopolitical changes. It has in fact been remarkably steady and strong. We are very satisfied with our bilateral relations in the state of our cooperation,” he said.
The first 2+2 meeting between India and Russia comes ahead of PM Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday evening. the PM and President Putin will be meeting for the first time after 2019 after they met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit.
“This is our 4th meeting this year. This is symbolic of the special and privileged strategic partnership between India & Russia. Today we have an opportunity not only to discuss our bilateral ties and global situation but we will also be participating in the first 2+2 meeting,” remarked Jaishankar while talking about the meeting.