26th September 2023, Mumbai: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar engaged in a series of diplomatic meetings in New York, discussing a range of topics with top UN leadership and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
G20 Presidency
Jaishankar met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, President of the 78th session of the General Assembly Dennis Francis, and United Nations Development Programme Administrator Achim Steiner. During his meetings, he highlighted India’s contributions to the United Nations’ sustainable development agenda, particularly during its G20 Presidency. He also expressed appreciation for Guterres’ commitment to international financial institution reform.
Jaishankar also met with UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner
The discussions also covered crucial issues such as UNSC reforms and building on the outcomes of the Sustainable Development Goals Summit. Jaishankar thanked President Francis for attending the ‘India-UN for Global South: Delivering for Development’ side event, hosted by India during the high-level week of the United Nations General Assembly. Jaishankar also met with UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner, emphasizing the importance of the UNDP’s engagement with India’s G20 Presidency initiatives. He discussed the potential for scaling up Indian success stories for global benefit.
Jaishankar also met with UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner
Furthermore, Jaishankar held a meeting with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, highlighting the progress in bilateral cooperation between the two countries. He emphasized the value of their regular exchange of perspectives on regional and global issues. In another warm meeting, Jaishankar engaged with Yvette Sylla, the Foreign Affairs Minister of Madagascar, a partner in India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative. Their discussions encompassed development partnerships, millets and rice production, digital delivery, and defense cooperation.
These diplomatic meetings underscore India’s commitment to engaging with the international community, addressing global challenges, and furthering bilateral relations with key partners. Jaishankar’s participation in the UN General Assembly session provides a platform for India to contribute to discussions on critical global issues.
By Yashika Desai