Niagara, Canada - External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar participated in the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting (FMM) Outreach Session, using the opportunity to articulate India's perspective on critical global issues. The session, held in Canada, focused primarily on energy security and critical minerals, with Jaishankar emphasizing the need to mitigate dependence, strengthen predictability, and build resilience in these sectors. He advocated for greater international cooperation as the most effective way forward.
In a post on social media platform X, Jaishankar highlighted the unpredictability and market constrictions prevalent in the global supply chain. He noted that while policy consultations and coordination are beneficial, translating these into tangible action on the ground is crucial. He affirmed India's commitment to working constructively with international partners in this regard.
Earlier in the day, Jaishankar engaged in a series of bilateral meetings with his counterparts from various nations and organizations. These included discussions with the Foreign Ministers of Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, and the European Union, addressing recent developments and regional issues of mutual interest. He met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who shared Ukraine's perspective on recent events. Discussions with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, covered a wide array of subjects, including bilateral relations, regional hotspots, connectivity, and energy. His meeting with EU's Foreign Policy Chief, Kaja Kallas, centered on deepening the India-EU Strategic Partnership and exchanging perspectives on the G7 FMM agenda. Jaishankar also met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, where discussions focused on trade and supply chains. Rubio offered condolences for the lives lost in the Delhi blast.
In addition to energy security and critical minerals, Jaishankar also attended a special session on maritime security. He emphasized India's approach to maritime security through the MAHASAGAR outlook, Indo-Pacific cooperation, and its role as a first responder in the maritime domain. He underscored the importance of trusted and diversified maritime links and India's efforts to upgrade its shipping infrastructure and develop resilient corridors. He further highlighted the need for enhanced coordination in protecting critical maritime and undersea infrastructure, addressing maritime threats, and combating economic crimes such as piracy, smuggling, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. He also noted the importance of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
India is participating in the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting as an invited partner under Canada's presidency, alongside countries like Brazil, Australia, and South Korea. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that Jaishankar's presence highlights India's continued commitment to collaborating with global partners.
