Sushma Swaraj meets foreign counterparts

External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj on Monday met her foreign counterparts on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) here and discussed various issues.

Swaraj first held a bilateral meeting with her Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita and discussed strengthening cooperation in areas of commerce, pharmaceuticals, cybersecurity, defence and culture.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted, "First of the many bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the #UNGA. A historical relationship since Ibn Batuta days! EAM @SushmaSwaraj & Morocco Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita discussed strengthening cooperation in areas of commerce, pharma, cyber security, defence and culture."

Swaraj then met European Union's High Representative Federica Mog and exchanged views on trade, investment and issues of global and regional interests.

"Strategic partnership based on common values of democracy, freedom and rule of law! EAM @SushmaSwaraj and EU High Representative @FedericaMog met on sidelines of #UNGA. Discussed issues related to trade & investment and exchanged views on the regional and global issues," Kumar wrote on his Twitter handle.

Swaraj and her Liechtenstein counterpart Aurelia Frick met and held talks on enhancing bilateral ties in the areas of trade and investment.

Kumar wrote on the micro-blogging site, "Celebrating 25th anniversary of our diplomatic relations! EAM @SushmaSwaraj & Foreign Minister of #Liechtenstein, Aurelia Frick exchanged views on enhancing bilateral relations in trade & investment, particularly through participation at Indian trade fairs, & tourism.#UNGA2018"

The EAM also met her Nepali counterpart Pradeep Kumar Gyawali and discussed on the bolstering of bilateral relations.

"Close neighbour and a friend! EAM @SushmaSwaraj and Foreign Minister of Nepal, Pradeep Kumar Gyawali met on the sidelines of the #UNGA2018 and took stock of our bilateral relationship," Kumar tweeted.

Next, Swaraj held discussions with her Spanish counterpart Josep Borrell on investment, renewable energy, water treatment, tourism and their contribution to the Indian government's flagship initiatives.

Kumar wrote on the micro-blogging site, "EAM @SushmaSwaraj and Spanish Foreign Minister @JosepBorrellF met on the sidelines of UNGA and explored ways to intensify ties in investment, renewable energy, water treatment, tourism and their contribution to our flagship initiatives."

Lastly, Swaraj met her Colombian counterpart Carlos Holmes Trujillo and exchanged views on trade and investment, pharmaceuticals, mining, petroleum and capacity building.

"Relations characterized by warmth and cordiality! EAM @SushmaSwaraj and Foreign Minister of Colombia, @CarlosHolmesTru met on the sidelines of #UNGA2018. Discussed cooperation on trade & investment, pharma, mining, petroleum and capacity building," Kumar tweeted.

Earlier in the day, Swaraj attended US President Donald Trump's event on a call for action against the global drug problem. The EAM will also be attending the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit at the General Assembly Hall, at the UN headquarter in New York.

Swaraj is slated to hold meetings with the foreign ministers of Ecuador, Australia and Mongolia. She will also take part in the G4 meet to be held tomorrow besides also attending the Non-Aligned Movement meeting on September 26 and meetings of the BRICS, IBSA and SAARC on September 27.

Swaraj's statement in the UNGA session is scheduled to take place on September 29.

Swaraj was also slated to meet her Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi on the sidelines of the UNGA. However, after increasing reports of violence on police and army personnel in Jammu and Kashmir, the meeting was called off.