Amid the escalating conflict in Iran and the Gulf region, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar held a meeting with Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh on the sidelines of Raisina Dialogue 2026 in New Delhi on Friday.
The 11th edition of the Raisina Dialogue, India’s flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics, commenced in New Delhi on Thursday. The event, organised by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), convenes global leaders, policymakers, academics, industry experts, and journalists to discuss critical international issues.
The talks between Jaishankar and Khatibzadeh took place amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which was triggered by the joint US-Israel strikes against Iran on February 28, aimed at degrading Tehran’s missile capabilities and military infrastructure.
The External Affairs Minister on Friday also held a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue 2026 in the national capital, engaging with top leaders from Malta, Mauritius, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Seychelles, and Kenya to strengthen strategic and regional partnerships.
EAM Jaishankar met his Bhutanese counterpart Lyonpo DN Dhungyel and reaffirmed India’s commitment to deepen partnership between two nations.
“Delighted to meet Bhutan Foreign Minister Lyonpo DN Dhungyel on sidelines of Raisina Dialogue 2026. Reaffirmed our commitment to deepen our unique partnership,” EAM Jaishankar posted on X.
During his meeting with Mauritius Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ritish Ramful, he underlined India’s commitment to further enhance strategic partnership between two nations.
In a post on X, EAM Jaishankar stated, “Pleased to meet FM Dhananjay Ritish Ramful of Mauritius. Underlined our commitment to further our enhanced strategic partnership.”
Earlier in the day, Jaishankar held a meeting with Malta’s Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg on the sidelines of the event.
“Good meeting with Deputy PM of Malta this afternoon. Appreciate his insights on the maritime industry,” he posted on X after the meeting.
The External Affairs Minister also engaged in a warm discussion with Sri Lanka Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath on bilateral ties and the regional situation, noting that India’s initiatives Vision MAHASAGAR and Neighbourhood First continue to guide its regional efforts.
He further met with Kenya Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Musalia Mudavadi in Delhi, where they discussed ways to realise the full potential of India-Kenya ties.
He also had a meeting with Foreign Minister of Seychelles, Barry Faure.
“Great to catch up with FM Barry Faure of Seychelles. Discussed the follow-up to the recent Presidential visit,” the EAM said.