Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has met with his Indian counterpart, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and discussed with him issues on both the bilateral and international agendas on the sidelines of the 18th East Asia Summit (EAS) in Indonesia, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.
"The ministers exchanged views on the most pressing issues of bilateral relations and international problems. [They] discussed practical steps to further develop trade, economic and energy cooperation, transport cooperation, as well as financial cooperation," the ministry said in a statement.
The sides also noted their mutual desire to increase coordination in multilateral formats, including in the United Nations, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS and the G-20.
Jaishankar also said he had a productive meeting with Lavrov.
"Good to meet FM Sergey Lavrov of Russia in Jakarta on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit. Useful stocktaking of our bilateral and multilateral cooperation. Discussed East Asia Summit and G-20 issues," he said on X.
The East Asia Summit will officially kick off on September 7 within the framework of the leaders’ summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The EAS is a platform for dialogue among Asia-Pacific leaders on policy accommodation, ensuring development and promoting practical cooperation among states.
After the EAS, Lavrov is expected to pay a working visit to Bangladesh from September 7-8 where he will meet with the country's leadership. From Bangladesh, the Russian foreign minister will depart for India to take part in the G20 summit scheduled for September 9-10.