Diplomacy

Jaishankar’s visit centred on the 27th session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation, which he co-chaired with Manturov. The commission serves as the principal institutional mechanism for advancing bilateral economic engagement and covers sectors ranging from trade and investment to energy, industry, science, technology and connectivity.

Doval participated as India’s Special Representative on the India-China Boundary Question, while Wang represented China in the same capacity. The two sides held candid and detailed discussions on the boundary issue under the strategic direction established through recent engagements between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The talks also covered the wider relationship between the two Asian powers and international and regional issues of mutual interest.

During meetings with senior representatives of MUFG, Development Bank of Japan, Mizuho, Morgan Stanley, Nomura and Nippon Life, Goyal invited greater Japanese institutional investment into India. He presented India’s growth trajectory, improving financial-sector fundamentals and expanding consumer base as important reasons for Japanese investors to take a longer-term view of the Indian market.

India’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Vipul, met GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi at the headquarters of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Riyadh. The two sides reviewed India-GCC relations and discussed ways to expand cooperation while examining progress surrounding negotiations for the proposed Free Trade Agreement. Preparations were also discussed for an India-GCC ministerial meeting scheduled to take place in September.