Speaking to the media in Sofia after his meeting with Bulgaria’s Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova-Chamova, Jaishankar said the world is going through an exceptionally volatile and uncertain phase. He noted that the experiences of the pandemic, rising terrorism, and ongoing conflicts across regions have significantly impacted global economic and security structures.
“India has a clear position on all these issues. We believe this is not an era of war. The only solution to any conflict is dialogue and diplomacy,” he said.
Highlighting India’s role as the voice of the Global South, he said India has consistently raised concerns regarding energy, food, and fertiliser security, while also advocating for uninterrupted maritime trade.
On economic security, the External Affairs Minister said the answer lies in building resilient and diversified supply chains. He emphasized that maritime trade must not be disrupted or put at risk under any circumstances.
On terrorism, Jaishankar called for a global policy of zero tolerance. He added that there was broad convergence of views between India and Bulgaria on all key issues discussed.
During his visit to Bulgaria, Jaishankar held high-level talks with top leadership, including discussions on strengthening bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors. The meetings also focused on India-European Union relations, including the proposed Free Trade Agreement, strategic and defence partnership, and the Comprehensive Mobility Cooperation Framework.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the External Affairs Minister will next visit Finland on June 11 to participate in the 14th edition of the Kultaranta Talks. This year’s theme is “A World in Transition: Global, Regional and Local Perspectives.” He is also scheduled to meet Finland’s Foreign Minister and other senior leaders during the visit.
