Jaishankar holds talks with FMs of Singapore, Nepal, Syria and Ethiopia

New York, Sep 26 (UNI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday held more bilateral engagements on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, meeting the Foreign Ministers of Singapore, Nepal, Syria and Ethiopia.
With Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, the EAM discussed Indo-Pacific developments and shared thoughts on overcoming the Covid challenge.
“A comfortable conversation with an old friend.
“Discussing Indo-Pacific developments with FM @VivianBala of Singapore.
“Sharing thoughts on overcoming the Covid challenge,” the EAM tweeted.
He also met new Nepali Foreign Minister Dr Narayan Khadka and both sides agreed to work together to take the special relationship forward. Dr Khadka was appointed Nepal’s Foreign Minister on September 22.
“Pleased to welcome my new Nepali colleague, Dr. Narayan Khadka.
“Agreed that we should work together closely to take our special relationship forward,” he tweeted.
With Syrian Foreign Minister Dr. Faisal Mekdad, the two held a useful exchange of views on the developments in the UN Security Council. The EAM said India will continue to provide humanitarian support and assistance to the Syrian people.
“Discussed bilateral ties with FM Dr. Faisal Mekdad of Syria.
“India will continue to provide humanitarian support and assistance to the Syrian people.
“Useful exchange of views on developments in the UN Security Council,” he tweeted.
During his talks with Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen Hassen, the two discussed the strong bilateral partnership.
They also discussed the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) issue, over which Ethiopia is in conflict with Egypt and Sudan.
“Reviewed our strong bilateral partnership with Ethiopia as I met DPM and FM
@DemekeHasen.
“Also discussed the GERD issue and other developments in the region,” Jaishankar posted.
In July this year, Ethiopia announced that it had completed the second filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). The GERD is Ethiopia’s flagship infrastructure project which would be the largest power generator in the African continent. However, this has been rejected by the downstream countries, Egypt and Sudan, which insist on a binding agreement with Ethiopia before it completed filling of the dam. The UN Security Council has asked all three countries – Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia – to resume negotiations with the aim of reaching a legal binding agreement on the issue.