External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held meetings with counterparts from Maldives, Mauritius, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan during the Indian Ocean Conference in Muscat, Oman, on February 17, 2025. The discussions focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation and regional partnerships, emphasizing India’s commitment to economic recovery and stability in the Indian Ocean region.

On February 17, 2025, during the Indian Ocean Conference in Muscat, Oman, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar engaged in discussions with his foreign counterparts from Maldives, Mauritius, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan. This conference underscored India’s commitment to enhancing ties with neighboring nations in the Indian Ocean region.

Jaishankar’s initial meeting was with Mauritian Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ritish Ramful, where he emphasized a mutual dedication to deepening the strong friendship between India and Mauritius. “A warm first meeting with FM @RitishRamful of Mauritius. Underlined our commitment to further our special bonds of friendship,” he communicated on X.

In his subsequent engagement with Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel, Jaishankar discussed various aspects of India-Maldives collaboration. He expressed satisfaction in these exchanges, indicating, “Pleased to catch up with FM @abkhaleel of Maldives. Exchanged views on the many facets of our cooperation.”

Additionally, Jaishankar met with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, focusing on a range of cooperative initiatives. He expressed India’s steadfast commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s economic recovery with the remark, “A productive interaction with FM @HMVijithaHerath on sidelines of 8th Indian Ocean Conference. Took stock of our wide-ranging cooperation.”

Further, conversations with Nepal’s Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba allowed for a review of bilateral cooperation, with Jaishankar looking forward to strengthening ties. He noted his pleasure in the meeting by saying, “Glad to meet with FM @Arzuranadeuba of Nepal today. Had a useful review of our bilateral cooperation.”

Meeting with Bhutan’s Foreign Minister D.N. Dhungyel, Jaishankar considered advancing bilateral and regional cooperation significant. He noted, “A pleasure talking with @FMBhutan D. N. Dhungyel in Muscat today. Our discussion focused on advancing our bilateral and regional cooperation.”

During this visit, Jaishankar also conferred with counterparts from Oman, Brunei, and Iran, in addition to Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Advisor, Md. Touhid Hossain. His participation included delivering a keynote address at the conference, where he highlighted the importance of adhering to agreements for stability amidst regional conflicts.

The 8th Indian Ocean Conference, organized by India Foundation in partnership with Oman’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was held in Muscat on February 16-17, highlighting the theme “Voyages to New Horizons of Maritime Partnership”. This platform, initiated in 2016, has evolved into a key forum for discussing regional issues among participating countries.

In summary, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s meetings at the Indian Ocean Conference highlighted India’s dedication to strengthening bilateral relations with regional partners. Through discussions with leaders from Maldives, Mauritius, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan, Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s commitment to cooperation in various sectors, including economic recovery and maritime partnerships. This conference serves as a testament to India’s role in fostering regional stability and collaboration in the Indian Ocean region.

Original Source: www.tribuneindia.com

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