Manila, Philippines, July 22 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday held talks with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand in Manila, with discussions focused on advancing bilateral cooperation and achieving the goals set for the India-Canada relationship by the two countries’ prime ministers.
Sharing details of the meeting, Jaishankar said in a post on X, “Appreciate the discussion with Canada FM Anita Anand this afternoon. India-Canada cooperation has been steadily growing. Our conversation focused on achieving the goals for the relationship set by our Prime Ministers.”
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the ASEAN-related foreign ministers’ meetings in Manila, where Jaishankar is participating in several multilateral engagements under the ASEAN framework.
Jaishankar is in the Philippines for foreign minister-level meetings, including the ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) meetings.
Before meeting his Canadian counterpart, Jaishankar held a lunch meeting with Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan in Manila and exchanged views on regional and global developments.
Jaishankar also held a series of high-level bilateral engagements on the sidelines of the ASEAN-related meetings.
He met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and reiterated India’s “strong concern” over the safety of Indian seafarers following the attack on the commercial vessel MV Golden Leo, which claimed the lives of four Indian nationals.
“An in-depth review of our bilateral relations with FM Sergey Lavrov of Russia. Reiterated our strong concern regarding the safety of Indian seafarers in the region,” Jaishankar said in a post on X, adding that the two sides also discussed trade and investment, energy and connectivity, science and technology, mobility, as well as the Ukraine conflict and the situation in the Gulf.
Jaishankar also held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during which he said a stable and cooperative India-China relationship based on “mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity” could make a “valuable contribution” to a multipolar Asia and a multipolar world.
Stressing that peace and tranquility in the border areas remains a prerequisite for normal ties, he said recent steps such as the resumption of direct flights, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and border trade were welcome, while noting that issues including fair market access, trade balance, and supply chain predictability also require attention.
The external affairs minister later met U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The two leaders discussed priority areas of the India-U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, including trade and tariffs, energy, defense and security, critical minerals, and artificial intelligence, while also exchanging views on regional, global, and multilateral issues.
The meeting coincided with the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, where the four countries reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and support for ASEAN centrality.
Earlier in the day, Jaishankar also met Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Philippine Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro. He said he followed up with Wong on the outcomes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Australia and expressed his anticipation for the Quad meeting.
During his talks with Lazaro, the two sides discussed strengthening the India-Philippines Strategic Partnership, focusing on trade and investment, education, defense and security, maritime cooperation, capacity building, and recent developments in the Indo-Pacific. (ANI)
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