EAM Jaishankar speaks to Indonesian and Iranian counterparts

New Delhi, May 20 (PTI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday spoke to his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi focusing on developments relating to the G20 grouping.

Jaishankar also held a telephonic conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian covering various aspects of bilateral ties as well as regional and international issues.

“Good conversation this morning with FM @Menlu_RI of Indonesia. Exchanged views on G20 developments and progress. India is fully supportive of the Indonesian Presidency,” Jaishankar tweeted during his talks with the Indonesian counterpart.

At present, Indonesia is holding the presidency of the G-20 and is preparing to host the summit of the grouping in November in Bali.

Several G-20 leaders have apparently conveyed to Indonesia it would not be possible for them to join the G-20 summit if Russian President Vladimir Putin attends it.

Italy held the G-20 Presidency in 2021 while Indonesia is playing the role till November 2022. Italy, Indonesia and India are the G-20 troika countries at present.

The G-20 is a leading global forum that brings together the world’s major economies. Its members account for more than 80 per cent of the global GDP, 75 per cent of global trade and 60 per cent of the population of the planet.

The telephonic talks between Jaishankar and Marsudi came a day after Indonesia announced that it will lift its ban on the export of palm oil. The move is expected to benefit India as it is battling high food inflation.

Indonesia, the world’s top palm oil exporter, on April 28 announced the ban on the export of Palm oil.

On his talks with the Iranian foreign minister, Jaishankar tweeted: “Nice to speak to FM @Amirabdolahian of Iran. Reaffirmed in our conversation the importance we both attach to advancing our relationship. ” The Iranian foreign ministry said Jaishankar referred to the good level of cooperation and ties between the two countries and expressed hope that the relations will be further enhanced in various spheres.

It said the issues on the agenda of the talks included bilateral, regional and international issues.

“During the talks, Amir Abdollahian pointed to the good interactions between Tehran and New Delhi and said the Islamic Republic of Iran attaches special significance to ties with India,” it said.

The Iranian foreign ministry said Jaishankar also invited his Iranian counterpart to visit India.

“Iran and India have been interacting on a variety of issues including, bilateral ties, expansion of cooperation in economy, culture, and tourism, the sanctions removal talks in Vienna, as well as the developments in Afghanistan, Yemen and Ukraine,” it said.