India meets with China, Russia before Central Asia forum
In this handout photo released by Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, left, and India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar pose for a photo prior their talks on the sideline of Foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting in India’s tourist hotspot Goa, Thursday, May 4, 2023. (Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service via AP)
Policemen stand guard at the main venue of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) council of foreign ministers’ meeting, in Goa, India, Thursday, May 4, 2023. India’s foreign minister is expected to hold bilateral talks with counterparts from China and Russia on Thursday ahead of a Central Asian security forum meeting. Foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization began arriving in host India’s tourist hotspot Goa, where they are expected to discuss deepening economic and security cooperation in the region on Friday. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
An official adjusts Indian flag at the main venue of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) council of foreign ministers’ meeting, in Goa, India, Thursday, May 4, 2023. India’s foreign minister is expected to hold bilateral talks with counterparts from China and Russia on Thursday ahead of a Central Asian security forum meeting. Foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization began arriving in host India’s tourist hotspot Goa, where they are expected to discuss deepening economic and security cooperation in the region on Friday. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
This Handout photo released by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs shows Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, third left, being received on his arrival at the Goa international airport, India, Thursday, May 4, 2023. (Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs via AP)
In this handout photo released by Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, left, and India’s foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar pose for a photo prior their talks on the sideline of Foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting in India’s tourist hotspot Goa, Thursday, May 4, 2023. (Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service via AP)
Policemen stand guard at the main venue of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) council of foreign ministers’ meeting, in Goa, India, Thursday, May 4, 2023. India’s foreign minister is expected to hold bilateral talks with counterparts from China and Russia on Thursday ahead of a Central Asian security forum meeting. Foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization began arriving in host India’s tourist hotspot Goa, where they are expected to discuss deepening economic and security cooperation in the region on Friday. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
In this photo released by Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, third left, walks with other officials toward his plane to depart for India, in Karachi, Pakistan, Thursday, May 4, 2023. Bhutto departs for India to attend the meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s foreign ministers being held in neighboring India’s state of Goa. (Pakistan Foreign Ministry via AP)
Policemen stand guard outside the main venue of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) council of foreign ministers’ meeting, in Goa, India, Thursday, May 4, 2023. India’s foreign minister is expected to hold bilateral talks with counterparts from China and Russia on Thursday ahead of a Central Asian security forum meeting. Foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization began arriving in host India’s tourist hotspot Goa, where they are expected to discuss deepening economic and security cooperation in the region on Friday. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Policemen stand guard outside the main venue of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) council of foreign ministers’ meeting, in Goa, India, Thursday, May 4, 2023. India’s foreign minister is expected to hold bilateral talks with counterparts from China and Russia on Thursday ahead of a Central Asian security forum meeting. Foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization began arriving in host India’s tourist hotspot Goa, where they are expected to discuss deepening economic and security cooperation in the region on Friday. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
A security officer walks across the main venue of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) council of foreign ministers’ meeting , in Goa, India, Thursday, May 4, 2023. India’s foreign minister is expected to hold bilateral talks with counterparts from China and Russia on Thursday ahead of a Central Asian security forum meeting. Foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization began arriving in host India’s tourist hotspot Goa, where they are expected to discuss deepening economic and security cooperation in the region on Friday. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Security personnel check the main venue of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) council of foreign ministers’ meeting, in Goa, India, Thursday, May 4, 2023. India’s foreign minister is expected to hold bilateral talks with counterparts from China and Russia on Thursday ahead of a Central Asian security forum meeting. Foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization began arriving in host India’s tourist hotspot Goa, where they are expected to discuss deepening economic and security cooperation in the region on Friday. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
A Goa police vessel patrols in the waters of Arabian Sea near the main venue of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) council of foreign ministers’ meeting, in Goa, India, Thursday, May 4, 2023. India’s foreign minister is expected to hold bilateral talks with counterparts from China and Russia on Thursday ahead of a Central Asian security forum meeting. Foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization began arriving in host India’s tourist hotspot Goa, where they are expected to discuss deepening economic and security cooperation in the region on Friday. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
A motorcyclist drives past a huge banner welcoming the delegates of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) council of foreign ministers meeting, in Goa, India, Wednesday, May 3, 2023. Russia is unlikely to face backlash over its war in Ukraine at an upcoming meeting of Central Asian foreign ministers and instead could flex its influence with the regional group. The meeting of the SCO ministers Friday in India’s picturesque state of Goa is the latest avenue for the host nation to burnish its geopolitical credentials as it seeks to cement itself as a consequential global player. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
In this handout photo released by Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, left, and India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar pose for a photo prior their talks on the sideline of Foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting in India’s tourist hotspot Goa, Thursday, May 4, 2023. (Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service via AP)
In this handout photo released by Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, left, and India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar pose for a photo prior their talks on the sideline of Foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting in India’s tourist hotspot Goa, Thursday, May 4, 2023. (Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service via AP)
Policemen stand guard at the main venue of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) council of foreign ministers’ meeting, in Goa, India, Thursday, May 4, 2023. India’s foreign minister is expected to hold bilateral talks with counterparts from China and Russia on Thursday ahead of a Central Asian security forum meeting. Foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization began arriving in host India’s tourist hotspot Goa, where they are expected to discuss deepening economic and security cooperation in the region on Friday. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Policemen stand guard at the main venue of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) council of foreign ministers’ meeting, in Goa, India, Thursday, May 4, 2023. India’s foreign minister is expected to hold bilateral talks with counterparts from China and Russia on Thursday ahead of a Central Asian security forum meeting. Foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization began arriving in host India’s tourist hotspot Goa, where they are expected to discuss deepening economic and security cooperation in the region on Friday. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
An official adjusts Indian flag at the main venue of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) council of foreign ministers’ meeting, in Goa, India, Thursday, May 4, 2023. India’s foreign minister is expected to hold bilateral talks with counterparts from China and Russia on Thursday ahead of a Central Asian security forum meeting. Foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization began arriving in host India’s tourist hotspot Goa, where they are expected to discuss deepening economic and security cooperation in the region on Friday. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
An official adjusts Indian flag at the main venue of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) council of foreign ministers’ meeting, in Goa, India, Thursday, May 4, 2023. India’s foreign minister is expected to hold bilateral talks with counterparts from China and Russia on Thursday ahead of a Central Asian security forum meeting. Foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization began arriving in host India’s tourist hotspot Goa, where they are expected to discuss deepening economic and security cooperation in the region on Friday. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
This Handout photo released by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs shows Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, third left, being received on his arrival at the Goa international airport, India, Thursday, May 4, 2023. (Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs via AP)
This Handout photo released by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs shows Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, third left, being received on his arrival at the Goa international airport, India, Thursday, May 4, 2023. (Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs via AP)
In this handout photo released by Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, left, and India’s foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar pose for a photo prior their talks on the sideline of Foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting in India’s tourist hotspot Goa, Thursday, May 4, 2023. (Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service via AP)
In this handout photo released by Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, left, and India’s foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar pose for a photo prior their talks on the sideline of Foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting in India’s tourist hotspot Goa, Thursday, May 4, 2023. (Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service via AP)
Policemen stand guard at the main venue of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) council of foreign ministers’ meeting, in Goa, India, Thursday, May 4, 2023. India’s foreign minister is expected to hold bilateral talks with counterparts from China and Russia on Thursday ahead of a Central Asian security forum meeting. Foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization began arriving in host India’s tourist hotspot Goa, where they are expected to discuss deepening economic and security cooperation in the region on Friday. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Policemen stand guard at the main venue of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) council of foreign ministers’ meeting, in Goa, India, Thursday, May 4, 2023. India’s foreign minister is expected to hold bilateral talks with counterparts from China and Russia on Thursday ahead of a Central Asian security forum meeting. Foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization began arriving in host India’s tourist hotspot Goa, where they are expected to discuss deepening economic and security cooperation in the region on Friday. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
In this photo released by Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, third left, walks with other officials toward his plane to depart for India, in Karachi, Pakistan, Thursday, May 4, 2023. Bhutto departs for India to attend the meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s foreign ministers being held in neighboring India’s state of Goa. (Pakistan Foreign Ministry via AP)
In this photo released by Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, third left, walks with other officials toward his plane to depart for India, in Karachi, Pakistan, Thursday, May 4, 2023. Bhutto departs for India to attend the meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s foreign ministers being held in neighboring India’s state of Goa. (Pakistan Foreign Ministry via AP)
Policemen stand guard outside the main venue of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) council of foreign ministers’ meeting, in Goa, India, Thursday, May 4, 2023. India’s foreign minister is expected to hold bilateral talks with counterparts from China and Russia on Thursday ahead of a Central Asian security forum meeting. Foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization began arriving in host India’s tourist hotspot Goa, where they are expected to discuss deepening economic and security cooperation in the region on Friday. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Policemen stand guard outside the main venue of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) council of foreign ministers’ meeting, in Goa, India, Thursday, May 4, 2023. India’s foreign minister is expected to hold bilateral talks with counterparts from China and Russia on Thursday ahead of a Central Asian security forum meeting. Foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization began arriving in host India’s tourist hotspot Goa, where they are expected to discuss deepening economic and security cooperation in the region on Friday. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Policemen stand guard outside the main venue of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) council of foreign ministers’ meeting, in Goa, India, Thursday, May 4, 2023. India’s foreign minister is expected to hold bilateral talks with counterparts from China and Russia on Thursday ahead of a Central Asian security forum meeting. Foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization began arriving in host India’s tourist hotspot Goa, where they are expected to discuss deepening economic and security cooperation in the region on Friday. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Policemen stand guard outside the main venue of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) council of foreign ministers’ meeting, in Goa, India, Thursday, May 4, 2023. India’s foreign minister is expected to hold bilateral talks with counterparts from China and Russia on Thursday ahead of a Central Asian security forum meeting. Foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization began arriving in host India’s tourist hotspot Goa, where they are expected to discuss deepening economic and security cooperation in the region on Friday. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
A security officer walks across the main venue of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) council of foreign ministers’ meeting , in Goa, India, Thursday, May 4, 2023. India’s foreign minister is expected to hold bilateral talks with counterparts from China and Russia on Thursday ahead of a Central Asian security forum meeting. Foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization began arriving in host India’s tourist hotspot Goa, where they are expected to discuss deepening economic and security cooperation in the region on Friday. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
A security officer walks across the main venue of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) council of foreign ministers’ meeting , in Goa, India, Thursday, May 4, 2023. India’s foreign minister is expected to hold bilateral talks with counterparts from China and Russia on Thursday ahead of a Central Asian security forum meeting. Foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization began arriving in host India’s tourist hotspot Goa, where they are expected to discuss deepening economic and security cooperation in the region on Friday. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Security personnel check the main venue of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) council of foreign ministers’ meeting, in Goa, India, Thursday, May 4, 2023. India’s foreign minister is expected to hold bilateral talks with counterparts from China and Russia on Thursday ahead of a Central Asian security forum meeting. Foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization began arriving in host India’s tourist hotspot Goa, where they are expected to discuss deepening economic and security cooperation in the region on Friday. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Security personnel check the main venue of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) council of foreign ministers’ meeting, in Goa, India, Thursday, May 4, 2023. India’s foreign minister is expected to hold bilateral talks with counterparts from China and Russia on Thursday ahead of a Central Asian security forum meeting. Foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization began arriving in host India’s tourist hotspot Goa, where they are expected to discuss deepening economic and security cooperation in the region on Friday. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
A Goa police vessel patrols in the waters of Arabian Sea near the main venue of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) council of foreign ministers’ meeting, in Goa, India, Thursday, May 4, 2023. India’s foreign minister is expected to hold bilateral talks with counterparts from China and Russia on Thursday ahead of a Central Asian security forum meeting. Foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization began arriving in host India’s tourist hotspot Goa, where they are expected to discuss deepening economic and security cooperation in the region on Friday. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
A Goa police vessel patrols in the waters of Arabian Sea near the main venue of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) council of foreign ministers’ meeting, in Goa, India, Thursday, May 4, 2023. India’s foreign minister is expected to hold bilateral talks with counterparts from China and Russia on Thursday ahead of a Central Asian security forum meeting. Foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization began arriving in host India’s tourist hotspot Goa, where they are expected to discuss deepening economic and security cooperation in the region on Friday. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
A motorcyclist drives past a huge banner welcoming the delegates of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) council of foreign ministers meeting, in Goa, India, Wednesday, May 3, 2023. Russia is unlikely to face backlash over its war in Ukraine at an upcoming meeting of Central Asian foreign ministers and instead could flex its influence with the regional group. The meeting of the SCO ministers Friday in India’s picturesque state of Goa is the latest avenue for the host nation to burnish its geopolitical credentials as it seeks to cement itself as a consequential global player. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
A motorcyclist drives past a huge banner welcoming the delegates of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) council of foreign ministers meeting, in Goa, India, Wednesday, May 3, 2023. Russia is unlikely to face backlash over its war in Ukraine at an upcoming meeting of Central Asian foreign ministers and instead could flex its influence with the regional group. The meeting of the SCO ministers Friday in India’s picturesque state of Goa is the latest avenue for the host nation to burnish its geopolitical credentials as it seeks to cement itself as a consequential global player. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
PANAJI, India (AP) — India’s foreign minister held talks Thursday with counterparts from China and Russia ahead of a meeting of a Central Asian security forum.
Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said he had detailed discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang on bilateral ties. “Focus remains on resolving outstanding issues and ensuring peace and tranquility in the border areas,” he tweeted after the meeting.
India and China are embroiled in an intense three-year standoff involving thousands of soldiers stationed along their disputed border in the eastern Ladakh region.
A meeting last week between their defense ministers gave a glimpse of just how differently the two countries view the situation along the border. While India accused its neighbor of eroding ties by violating bilateral agreements, China said the border conditions were “stable overall.”
A clash three years ago in Ladakh killed 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese.
Jaishankar also said he had a “comprehensive review of bilateral, global and multilateral cooperation” with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Analysts say India is likely to be concerned over Russia’s growing reliance on China as its invasion of Ukraine drags on.
New Delhi’s relationship with Moscow, its Cold War ally, has remained strong. But Beijing gaining more sway over Moscow could prove frustrating for India.
Foreign ministers from the members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a security pact dominated by Moscow and Beijing, arrived in the Indian tourist hotspot of Goa, where they are expected to discuss deepening economic and security cooperation in the region on Friday. A summit of SCO leaders is to be held in July.
Pakistan, India’s archrival, is also a member of SCO. Its foreign minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, is making the first visit by a high-ranking Pakistani official to India in nearly a decade. Zardari’s attendance has triggered speculation of a thaw in strained relations between the two South Asian countries, though both ministers have dismissed speculation of a bilateral chat.
“During my visit, which is focused exclusively on the SCO, I look forward to constructive discussions with my counterparts from friendly countries,” Zardari tweeted before setting off for India.
The two countries have a history of bitter relations, mainly over Kashmir, a disputed Himalayan region that was split between them but is claimed by both in its entirety. India and Pakistan have fought two wars over Kashmir since gaining independence from British colonial rule in 1947.
Jaishankar held talks with the SCO’s secretary general, Zhang Ming, earlier Thursday and was also expected to speak with Uzbekistan’s foreign minister.
Russia and China founded the SCO in 2001 as a counterweight to U.S. alliances across East Asia to the Indian Ocean. The group includes the four Central Asian nations of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, which Russia considers its backyard. In 2017, India and Pakistan became members and Iran is set to join later this year.
___
Find more of AP’s Asia-Pacific coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/asia-pacific