India working towards mitigating global volatility: Jaishankar

The External Affairs Minister was speaking on the sidelines of the fourth ‘2+ 2’ foreign and defence ministry dialogues with the U.S.

The discussions during the fourth ‘2+ 2’ foreign and defence ministry dialogues with their U.S. counterparts here has helped the two countries to strategise on mitigating the volatility and unpredictability that the world is currently experiencing, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Monday.

"It has helped us today to strategise on mitigating the volatility and unpredictability that the world is currently experiencing. That will be naturally reflected in our policies," Mr. Jaishankar told reporters addressing a joint news conference with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and their American counterparts Secretary of State Tony Blinken and the Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

The fourth ‘2+ 2’ foreign and defence ministry dialogues., the first under the Biden administration, was held here on Monday.

The discussions have also encouraged the two countries to think together on long-term challenges, especially in the Indo-Pacific. "It has energised our collaborative endeavours to build what is emerging as a key bilateral relationship of our times," he said.

Responding to a question, Mr. Jaishankar said India is pressing for a cessation of hostilities in Ukraine. "I think part of what we are doing is to press for a cessation of hostilities, which I think everybody would agree would mitigate matters and clearly make the world less unpredictable."

India, he said, is working towards mitigating global volatility and unpredictability. "While we're also addressing the humanitarian situation, in fact, we have -- the Ukrainians have been in touch with us for -- especially for the supply of medicines. We have already provided humanitarian relief to Ukraine to some of the neighbours. And even as we speak, a shipment of medicines is being delivered or will be delivered very soon to Kiev," he said.

"We have discussed the economic consequences as well and we are looking at it ourselves, but we have discussed it as partners," he said.