Astana (Kazakhstan), External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar raised the issue of Indian civilians in war zones and pressed for their safe return during his meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov here on Wednesday.
Jaishankar arrived here on Tuesday to represent India at the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
“It was nice to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Astana today. Our bilateral partnership and wide-ranging dialogue on contemporary issues. Progress seen in many areas since our last meeting in December 2023,” Jaishankar posted on Twitter.
The meeting between the two foreign ministers took place a few days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposed visit to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Our strong concern is expressed over the Indian nationals who are currently in the war zone. Pressed for their safe and speedy return,” he added in his post, which also included photos of the meeting.
The External Affairs Minister also discussed the global strategic scenario and exchanged assessments and views with Lavrov.
Earlier on Tuesday, Jaishankar met Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister Murat Nurtlu and discussed the expansion of the strategic partnership and India's growing engagement with Central Asia in various formats.
He exchanged views on regional and global issues with Nurtlu, who also holds the charge of Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan.
Jaishankar arrived here on Tuesday to represent India at the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
“It was nice to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Astana today. Our bilateral partnership and wide-ranging dialogue on contemporary issues. Progress seen in many areas since our last meeting in December 2023,” Jaishankar posted on Twitter.
The meeting between the two foreign ministers took place a few days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposed visit to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Our strong concern is expressed over the Indian nationals who are currently in the war zone. Pressed for their safe and speedy return,” he added in his post, which also included photos of the meeting.
The External Affairs Minister also discussed the global strategic scenario and exchanged assessments and views with Lavrov.
Earlier on Tuesday, Jaishankar met Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister Murat Nurtlu and discussed the expansion of the strategic partnership and India's growing engagement with Central Asia in various formats.
He exchanged views on regional and global issues with Nurtlu, who also holds the charge of Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan.
