S Jaishankar Discusses Indo-Pacific Strategy with Australian, French Counterparts at G20 Meet

Johannesburg – External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a trilateral discussion with his Australian and French counterparts, Penny Wong and Jean-Noel Barrot, on Friday, focusing on the Indo-Pacific region. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Jaishankar, who is on a two-day visit to attend the summit, highlighted the shared interests between India, Australia, and France in the Indo-Pacific and emphasized the potential for deeper collaboration.

"Great to meet FMs @SenatorWong and @jnbarrot at the India-Australia-France trilateral meeting in Johannesburg. Our three countries have shared interests in the Indo-Pacific and the potential to strengthen each other's position. Appreciate the ideas put forward in the trilateral and look forward to realising them in practical ways," he posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Strengthening India-EU Ties

In addition to the trilateral talks, Jaishankar held his first meeting with European Union Vice President and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas. Their discussions covered key areas of India-EU cooperation, including trade, security, and geopolitical developments, with the ongoing Ukraine conflict featuring prominently.

"A productive first meeting with EU HRVP @kajakallas today in Johannesburg. We discussed India-EU ties, developments in Europe, the Ukraine conflict, and other global issues. Look forward to welcoming the EU Commission and EU College to India soon," Jaishankar wrote on X.

Talks with China, Angola, and Algeria

On the sidelines of the G20 meeting, Jaishankar also engaged in bilateral discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Their talks revolved around managing peace along the Sino-Indian border, the overall state of relations between the two nations, and the potential resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

Additionally, Jaishankar met Angola’s Foreign Minister, Tete Antonio, to discuss bilateral cooperation and India-Africa ties. Expressing optimism about future engagements, he stated that he “looked forward to hosting him in India.”

The Indian minister also had discussions with his Algerian counterpart, Ahmed Attaf, on bilateral partnerships and global developments, particularly in the West Asia region.

Brief Interaction with Ireland’s Foreign Minister

Jaishankar briefly interacted with Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Simon Harris, on the sidelines of the summit.

"Had a quick chat with FM and Deputy PM of Ireland Simon Harris. Look forward to continuing our conversation," he noted on X.

Addressing Global Geopolitical Challenges at G20

On Thursday, Jaishankar addressed a session titled ‘Discussion on the Global Geopolitical Situation’ at the G20 meet, where he underlined the role of the forum in navigating global uncertainties.

"The global geopolitical situation remains difficult by any definition. Some of it is the accumulated challenges of the Covid pandemic, conflict situations, financial pressures, food security, and climate concerns," he stated.

He reiterated that the G20 serves as a crucial platform for international economic cooperation and is instrumental in addressing major global challenges.

The G20 comprises 19 major economies—Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States—along with the European Union and the African Union.

Looking Ahead

With the Indo-Pacific at the heart of global strategic interests, the trilateral meeting between India, Australia, and France signals a growing effort to strengthen regional security and cooperation. Jaishankar’s engagements with key global leaders reflect India’s proactive role in shaping international diplomacy amid evolving geopolitical challenges.