Mos MEA V Murleedharan meets US Secy of State Antony Blinken in Rio

Rio de Janeiro [Brazil], February 22 (ANI): On the margins of the G20 Foreign Ministers meeting in Rio, Union Minister of State V Murleedharan on Thursday had a brief discussion with the United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken.

“A brief chat with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Rio,” the MoS posted on X.

Notably, Brazil assumed the presidency from India on December 20, 2023, and the G20 Foreign Minister’s Meeting would be the first ministerial meeting under the Brazilian Presidency, the Ministry of External Affairs said in an official release.

Earlier on Wednesday, Union Minister of State represented India at the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Brazil, and affirmed New Delhi’s steadfast support for Brazil during its presidency of the summit.

“Honored to represent India at G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Rio. During my intervention at a session on ‘G20’s role in dealing with ongoing international tensions’,” Muraleedharan posted on X.

On the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India called for an urgent return to dialogue and diplomacy.

While on the Israel-Hamas war, India reiterated its position of a two-state solution. MoS Muraleedharan said that terrorism has to be condemned in all its forms. He also underscored that the conflict in the Middle East should not be allowed to spread any wider.

MoS Muraleedharan also emphasised the security of the high seas and the safety of sea lanes of communication. He also said that the G20, as an economic forum, should focus on SDG and climate change.

He also lamented the need to address geopolitical issues constructively and find common ground.

The G20 Foreign Ministers have met as a group since 2012, and the FMM in Rio will be their 10th meeting.

The G20 FMM has risen in prominence throughout time, serving as a crucial venue for talks on a variety of international issues and related concerns of common concern among G20 members.

A new Working Group on the Empowerment of Women and a new Engagement Group, “Judiciary 20” have also been added by Brazil this time.

Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the G20 FMM, the MoS will hold bilateral meetings with partner countries from the Global South.