Jaishankar meets Nepal's Foreign Minister for first time during Dhaka visit

Dhaka [Bangladesh], May 12 : External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Nepal's new Foreign Minister NP Saud for the first time and discussed energy, connectivity, and enduring people-to-people ties between both countries.

"A good first meeting with FM N.P. Saud of Nepal. Congratulated him on his new responsibility. Discussed further steps in our steadily expanding partnership. Spoke about energy, connectivity, and our enduring people-to-people ties," Jaishankar said in a tweet.

Jaishankar is currently on a two-day visit to Bangladesh where he is attending the 6th Indian Ocean Conference.

During his Dhaka visit, Jaishankar called on Bangladeshi Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina in the capital on Thursday. Jaishankar is on a two-day visit to Bangladesh till May 12. After that, he will visit Belgium and Sweden.

"Honoured to call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh. Conveyed personal greetings and warm regards of PM @narendramodi. The guidance and vision of our leaders continue to strengthen India-Bangladesh Maitri," Jaishankar tweeted.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reached Dhaka on Thursday afternoon. EAM was welcomed by the Foreign Minister Affairs Minister of Bangladesh Md. Shahriar Alam. Jaishankar is on a three-nation tour during which he will visit Bangladesh, Sweden and Belgium.

"Reached Dhaka. Thank Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh @MdShahriarAlam for the warm welcome. Look forward to meeting colleagues and friends from across the world at the Indian Ocean Conference," Jaishankar tweeted upon reaching Bangladesh.

From Bangladesh, Jaishankar will travel to Sweden. This will be his first visit as EAM to the Nordic country and comes at a time when India and Sweden are celebrating 75 years of establishing diplomatic relations. Sweden currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

According to a Ministry of External Affairs release, Jaishankar will participate in the second EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum (EIPMF) in Sweden.

He will hold bilateral meetings with foreign ministers of several countries on the margins of EIPMF.

During his stay, he will call on leadership in Sweden and meet with key ministers.

He will also participate in the inaugural session of the India Trilateral Forum (India, Europe and the US) with his Swedish counterpart.

In the last leg of the visit, EAM will visit Brussels for bilateral engagements with Belgian and EU officials. He will also attend the first Ministerial Meeting of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council along with Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and Minister of Communications, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw.

The TTC Ministerial Meeting is scheduled to be held on May 16.