Jaishankar Interacts Briefly With Chinese Counterpart At Munich Security Conference

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi encountered each other for the first time in six months at the Munich Security Conference in Germany on Saturday.

The two diplomats engaged in a brief interaction during the conference’s sidelines, marking their first contact in several months, as reported by media outlets. Their conversation occurred as Wang Yi was exiting the stage, while S. Jaishankar was preparing to join a panel discussion alongside US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.

Details of their discussion remain undisclosed. Nonetheless, the encounter adds a layer of intrigue to the diplomatic relations between India and China following a prolonged period without contact between the two high-ranking officials.

S. Jaishankar is currently attending the Munich Security Conference (MSC) 2024, scheduled from February 16 to 18. During the conference, he also met with his Norwegian counterpart, Espen Barth Eide, for a comprehensive discussion.

The MSC 2024, which commenced on February 16, gathered world leaders to address pressing global security challenges.

On another note, S. Jaishankar weighed in on the Israel-Hamas conflict, branding Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7 as an act of terrorism. He stressed the importance of Israel being cautious about civilian casualties in its response, emphasizing its obligation to adhere to international humanitarian law.

During a panel discussion, S. Jaishankar refrained from offering advice to his colleagues but acknowledged the extensive efforts being made by Antony Blinken. He underscored the multifaceted nature of the conflict and the need to consider various dimensions and elements.

Furthermore, S. Jaishankar discussed the urgent need for a resolution to the Red Sea crisis with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. He highlighted the economic and security challenges posed by the crisis to multiple nations, emphasizing the importance of swift action to address the situation.

Overall, the interactions and discussions at the Munich Security Conference provided a platform for diplomatic engagement and dialogue on critical global issues.