May 5, 2023
2 mins read

Lavrov reacts to Jaishankar’s suntan query

During his Goa visit, Lavrov is expected to have several bilateral meetings with his counterparts from other SCO countries….reports Asian Lite News

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on Thursday held bilateral talks on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) foreign ministers’ meeting in Goa.

During their interaction, Jaishankar shared a light moment when he was heard asking whether Lavrov had an opportunity to get some rest and a suntan, to which the Russian minister responded that he had had about an hour and a half to do so. Lavrov is also heard telling Jaishankar not to tell anybody about it.

The Russian Foreign Minister arrived at Goa’s Dabolim airport this morning. Incidentally, this is the second time this year that Lavrov is visiting India. Previously, he had attended the G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting in New Delhi this March.

During his Goa visit, Lavrov is expected to have several bilateral meetings with his counterparts from other SCO countries.

Currently, SCO has Russia, India, China, Pakistan and four Central Asian countries – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as its members.

Observer countries of the SCO, Iran and Belarus could soon become full-time members of the charter as the decision is under consideration as of now, an official said today. If consideration is accepted by the SCO member on Iran and Belarus to take as new members of SCO, it will have 10 members in the SCO by next year.

The theme of India’s Chairmanship of SCO in 2023 is ‘Secure-SCO’. India attaches special importance to SCO in promoting multilateral, political, security, economic and people-to-people interactions in the region.

SCO is an intergovernmental organization established in 2001. Prior to the Foreign Ministers’ meeting, SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting took place in New Delhi this April in which Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu took part and discussed the Russian defence industry’s participation in the ‘Make in India’ initiative and ways to provide further impetus to it with his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh.

Jaishankar earlier today held a bilateral meeting with the Secretary General of SCO, Zhang Ming in Goa and appreciated his “support for India’s SCO Presidency”.

Sharing details regarding the meeting, Jaishankar tweeted, “Started my meetings at SCO CFM with a productive interaction with Secretary General Zhang Ming. Appreciate his support for India’s SCO Presidency. Indian presidency is driven by a commitment to SECURE SCO.”

India will also host a cultural event and a dinner this evening for its counterparts from China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. (ANI)

ALSO READ: India-China bilateral talks focus on ‘peace in border area’

Previous Story

India hosts cultural evening for SCO counterparts

Next Story

Iran, Belarus may become SCO full-time members

Latest from -Top News

Trump unhappy with deadly strikes on Kyiv 

The president said he is “putting a lot of pressure” on both sides to end the war in Ukraine, following the deadliest attacks Kyiv has seen since last July  President Donald Trump

Macron: ‘We Stand with India’

Macron said that France will stand together with its allies and would continue the fight against terrorism wherever necessary….reports Asian Lite News French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday spoke to Prime Minister

Pakistan Slams IWT Move as ‘Act of War’

Islamabad also said that India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) will be considered as an “act of war”…reports Asian Lite News The high-level emergency meeting of Pakistan’s National Security

Modi: We’ll Hunt Them Down

The Prime Minister thanked nations that extended support to India in the aftermath of the terror attack…reports Asian Lite News In his first address after the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu
Go toTop

Don't Miss

India welcomes ASEAN initiative on Myanmar

ASEAN leaders have urged the head of Myanmar’s military chief

Punjabi Film Development Council to promote culture and language

Minister envisioned that it will go a long way in