 "EAM Jaishankar. File image")
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has had an exceptionally busy week of high-level diplomacy — from Doha to New York, Niagara to Moscow — as India sharpens its global engagement.
Over the past seven days, he has attended the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, met US Secretary Marco Rubio, held talks with the Saudi Foreign Minister — marking the fifth top-level India–Saudi engagement in just ten days — visited New York, spoken with the Foreign Minister of Bahrain, travelled to Doha to call on the Amir of Qatar, and met Sergey Lavrov during a stop in Moscow.
This follows an equally active first week of the month, when India hosted the Foreign Ministers of Israel and Egypt, underscoring New Delhi’s stepped-up diplomatic drive.
Strategic consultations in Moscow ahead of Putin’s visit
Earlier on Monday, Jaishankar met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow, while Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev held talks with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval in New Delhi. The meetings come as both sides prepare for President Vladimir Putin’s expected visit to India on 4–5 December.
During his meeting in Moscow, Jaishankar said India–Russia relations have “long been a factor of stability in international relations”, emphasising that the partnership’s continued growth serves the interests of both countries and the wider global order. He added that the talks focused on preparations for the 23rd Annual Summit and major issues shaping the global environment.
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View AllG7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Canada
Last week, Jaishankar visited Ontario, Canada, to participate in the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with Outreach Partners, at the invitation of Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Anita Anand. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, he was also expected to hold several bilateral meetings on the margins of the gathering. His participation, the ministry said, reflects India’s commitment to working with international partners to address global challenges and to amplify the voice of the Global South in multilateral forums.
Bilateral engagements on G7 sidelines
On the margins of the G7 meeting, Jaishankar held a series of bilateral discussions, including with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand. His meeting with Rubio in Niagara-on-the-Lake — the scenic township near Niagara Falls hosting the two-day gathering — was among his first engagements of the day.
He also met the Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia and Ukraine, reviewing cooperation and discussing current regional developments. With Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, he discussed connectivity, energy and geopolitical flashpoints. “Met with FM Prince @FaisalbinFarhan of Saudi Arabia. Our interaction covered bilateral ties, regional hotspots, connectivity and energy,” he wrote on X.
Strengthening the India–US partnership in New York
In New York, Jaishankar chaired a conference of Indian Consul Generals, bringing together senior diplomats from missions across the United States to review India–US bilateral cooperation and outreach to the Indian diaspora. The meeting included officials from the Indian Embassy in Washington DC, and consulates in New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, Boston, Los Angeles and Seattle. India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Kwatra, was also present.
After the meeting, Jaishankar posted on X, “Chaired a Consul Generals Conference in New York today. Reviewed our bilateral ties and support for diaspora activities. Appreciate the commitment and efforts of our Embassy & Consulates to strengthening the India-US partnership.”
He also met UN Secretary-General António Guterres for a wide-ranging discussion on global developments and the state of multilateralism.
Focused outreach in West Asia
In Doha, Jaishankar met Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, reviewing key pillars of the India–Qatar strategic partnership, including energy, trade, investment and people-to-people ties. They also exchanged assessments on developments in West Asia and broader regional and global issues.
“Pleased to meet Qatar’s Prime Minister & Foreign Minister @MBA_AlThani_ in Doha. Reviewed key aspects of our Strategic Partnership including energy, trade, investment and people to people connect. Appreciate the exchange of views on Middle East/West Asia, regional and global developments,” he said.
Jaishankar also spoke with Bahrain’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Alzayani, discussing ways to strengthen the longstanding and multifaceted India–Bahrain partnership. He added that both sides exchanged views on key regional and global developments during the call.