Jaishankar meets Russian FM Lavrov, discusses Ukraine war and Riyadh talks

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar met his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Johannesburg on Thursday. The two veteran diplomats discussed the ongoing progress in the bilateral ties between India and Russia as they navigate through the world order amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

During the meeting, the two discussed the war and Lavrov’s visit to Riyadh where he held talks with the US delegation. Jaishankar shared a photograph with Lavrov on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Glad to meet FM Sergey Lavrov of Russia this evening in Johannesburg. Reviewed the continued progress of India-Russia bilateral cooperation,” he said in the post.

“Discussed recent developments pertaining to the Ukraine conflict, including his Riyadh meeting. Agreed to remain in touch,” the EAM furthered. The Russian Foreign Ministry also shared some takeaways from the meeting. “Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey #Lavrov and Minister of External Affairs of India Dr. @DrSJaishankar hold talks on the sidelines of the #G20 Ministerial,” the ministry wrote in a post on X.

Jaishankar meets counterparts among India’s allies

On Thursday, the External Affairs Minister held bilateral talks with counterparts from Singapore and Brazil. All these meetings were held on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa. During their talks, Jaishankar and Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan discussed their work in furthering bilateral ties and the state of the world order.

“Always a good conversation with FM @VivianBala of Singapore, this time in Johannesburg on the sidelines of G20 FMM. Discussed the state of the world and our work in furthering bilateral ties,” Jaishankar wrote on X. The Indian foreign minister is on a two-day visit to South Africa where he is attending the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) at the invitation of South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola.

In the press release, MEA said that “EAM’s participation in the G20 FMM will strengthen India’s engagement with G20 countries and bolster the voice of the Global South in this important forum. EAM is expected to hold a few bilateral meetings in the margins of the FMM.” South Africa assumed the G20 presidency from December 1, 2024, through to November 2025. The theme of the country’s presidency this year will be “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.”