India Welcomes Maltese Foreign Minister Ian Borg for Talks on Trade, Investments, and Bilateral Ties

Introduction: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar extended a warm welcome to Ian Borg, the Foreign Minister of Malta, as he arrived in the Indian capital for discussions on various aspects of India’s growing trade, commerce, and investments in the Mediterranean region. The meeting also touched upon enhancing people-to-people ties.

Key Highlights:

• EAM S. Jaishankar welcomed Ian Borg, the Foreign Minister of Malta, to New Delhi for bilateral talks.
• The discussions encompassed India’s expanding trade and commerce, investments, and the strengthening of people-to-people connections with the Mediterranean region.
• India’s official spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi, also extended a warm welcome to Minister Borg upon his arrival. Bagchi emphasized that the visit would further enhance bilateral relations between India and Malta, as well as contribute to multilateral ties.

EAM jaishankar’s Statements:

• EAM S. Jaishankar emphasized the importance of the discussions held during the meeting and highlighted the increasing collaboration between India and Malta in various domains.
• The Minister also mentioned discussions on India’s coordination with the European Union (EU) and Africa, underlining the broad spectrum of topics addressed during the talks.

India-EU Maritime Security Dialogue:

• In a related context, India and the European Union (EU) recently conducted the 3rd Maritime Security Dialogue in Brussels, Belgium.
• The dialogue focused on sustaining a secure maritime environment that supports inclusive growth and global well-being.
• Discussions included cyber cooperation in multilateral forums, and both sides appreciated the Cyber Dialogue mechanism.
• Ongoing cooperation initiatives in the maritime domain and avenues for strengthening international and regional mechanisms for comprehensive maritime security were reviewed during the dialogue.

African Union’s Inclusion in G20:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted India’s initiative in securing permanent membership for the African Union in the Group of 20 (G20).
• India celebrated the African Union’s inclusion in the G20 during its presidency.
• The success of this initiative was acknowledged as a significant achievement and a moment of pride for India, showcasing its global leadership role.

Minister Borg’s Visit:

• Ian Borg’s visit to India is of short duration, and he is scheduled to depart for Malta on October 8, following the fruitful discussions.

The visit and discussions between the two foreign ministers signify India’s commitment to strengthening its diplomatic and economic relationships with countries in the Mediterranean region and beyond.