Muscat/New Delhi, Feb 16 (UNI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is in Oman, held talks with Bangladesh Interim Government Foreign Affairs Advisor Touhid Hossain, and with his counterparts from Iran, the Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan, Brunei and Oman, on the sidelines of the Eighth Indian Ocean Conference.

He also met with former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
On his meeting with the Iranian FM Seyed Abbas Araghchi, the EAM posted on X:
“Good to meet FM @araghchi of Iran this afternoon.
“Spoke about our bilateral ties and developments in the region.”
On his meeting with the Maldives FM Abdulla Khaleel, the EAM wrote:
“Pleased to catch up with FM @abkhaleel of Maldives.
“Exchanged views on the many facets of our cooperation.”
The Maldives FM posted on X on the meeting:
“Good to meet the Minister of External Affairs of India, @DrSJaishankar, on the sidelines of the #IOC2025.
“We had a meaningful discussion on key bilateral issues and explored avenues for further strengthening cooperation between our two countries.
“Close and friendly ties between #Maldives and #India continues to shape our partnership.”
The EAM posted on his meeting with the Nepalese FM Arzu Rana Deuba:
“Glad to meet with FM @Arzuranadeuba of Nepal today.
“Had a useful review of our bilateral cooperation. Look forward to strengthening our ties.”
The Nepalese FM posted:
“Held a productive meeting with H.E. @DrSJaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India, on the sidelines of the 8th Indian Ocean Conference.
“I thanked H.E. Jaishankar for the continued support for Nepal’s development and recent progress on issues related with trade transit and water resource development.
“H.E. Jaishankar and I reaffirmed our commitment to continue strengthening Nepal-India relations.”
On his meeting with the Bangladesh Interim Government Foreign Affairs Advisor Touhid Hossain, the EAM wrote:
“Met Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain of the Interim Government of Bangladesh.
“Conversation was focused on our bilateral relationship, as also on BIMSTEC.”
On his conversation with his Bhutanese counterpart D.N. Dhungyel, the EAM wrote:
“A pleasure talking with @FMBhutan D. N. Dhungyel in Muscat today.
“Our discussion focused on advancing our bilateral and regional cooperation. Underlined the dynamism of our unique and time - tested partnership.”
The EAM also met with former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe:
“Glad to meet former President @RW_SRILANKA on sidelines of 8th Indian Ocean Conference.”
On his meeting with the Brunei FM, he posted:
“A warm conversation with Brunei FM Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof this morning.
“Followed up on PM @narendramodi’s September 2024 Brunei visit outcomes.
“Appreciate his insights on the region and support for India - ASEAN partnership.”
On his meeting with the Oman FM Badr Albusaidi, he posted:
“Delighted to meet FM @badralbusaidi of Oman this morning.
“Appreciate his personal efforts in successfully hosting the 8th Indian Ocean Conference.
“Held wide - ranging discussions on our cooperation in trade, investment and energy security.
“So glad we could jointly release the logo celebrating the 70th anniversary of our diplomatic relations.
“Also jointly released a book ‘Mandvi to Muscat: Indian Community and the Shared History of India and Oman’.”
The Omani FM wrote:
“A pleasure to welcome dear friend @DrSJaishankar India’s Minister of External Affairs for the 8th Indian Ocean Conference.
“We also celebrated 70 years of Oman-India diplomatic relations, a testament to the enduring partnership between our two countries, and launched a commemorative book that chronicles our shared history and the deep bonds that continue to flourish #IOC2025.”
UNI RN