'Talked About BRICS, SCO And G20': Jaishankar Meets Russian Counterpart Lavrov In South Africa

Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar wrote, “Good to meet FM Sergey Lavrov of Russia in Cape Town this morning on BRICS FMM sidelines. Our discussions covered bilateral matters, BRICS, G20 and SCO.”

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting in South Africa on Thursday. Jaishankar, who is in Capetown to take part in a conclave of five-nation grouping BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa), held talks with Lavrov over bilateral matters, BRICS, G20 and SCO.

Taking to Twitter, the External Affairs Minister wrote, “Good to meet FM Sergey Lavrov of Russia in Cape Town this morning on BRICS FMM sidelines. Our discussions covered bilateral matters, BRICS, G20 and SCO.”

It is to be noted that in the last few months, India has become a leading importer of discounted crude oil from Russia notwithstanding rising disquiet in the West over the procurement in view of Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Although India has not yet condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it has been pushing for resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.

Jaishankar on Wednesday had said these are still "early days" for resolution of conflict between Ukraine and Russia as currently, the focus is on problems such as a grain corridor, nuclear issues and matters related to the exchange of prisoners of war.

The BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) brings together five of the largest developing countries of the world, representing 41 per cent of the global population, 24 per cent of the global GDP and 16 per cent of the global trade. EAM Jaishankar is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with his other BRICS counterparts.

India will hold the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and G-20 summits in July and September respectively.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will visit South Africa and Namibia from June 1 to June 6, the Ministry of External Affairs had said. According to MEA, Jaishankar will visit South Africa from June 1 to June 3 to participate in the BRICS Foreign Ministers meeting in Capetown. Besides attending the meeting, he will also hold a bilateral meeting with his South African counterpart Naledi Pandor.