EAM Jaishankar meets US peace envoy for Afghanistan, Saudi counterpart in Munich

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held several meetings on sidelines of Munich Security Conference, including with US special envoy on Afghan reconciliation and Saudi foreign minister, and discussed regional and global issues with m.

"Met @US4AfghanPeace Zalmay Khalilzad at #MSC2020. Appreciated his update on Afghanistan negotiations," Jaishankar tweeted.

In ar tweet, he said he had a meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Saturday (local time) and "appreciated his perspectives on global and regional issues". "Look forward to working with him in Strategic Partnership Council," he added.

meetings come in backdrop of a possible deal between US and Taliban to reduce violence, which could eventually lead to withdrawal of American troops from war-torn Afghanistan.

Munich Security Conference, being held from February 14-16, is world's leading forum for debate on international security policy and is held annually. It was established in 1963. External Affairs Minister also met Australian and Singaporean Defence Ministers Linda Reylds and Ng Eng Hen, respectively, and said India is working with m to take security cooperation forward.

On his meeting with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah, Jaishankar said, "Our contemporary relationship has been built on a strong historical and cultural foundation. Will work toger to take it to greater heights."

He met members of Bundestag Foreign Affairs Committee and held "a very good conversation" on EU, Germany and India. "Appreciated ir strong interest in taking our relationship forward," he said.

External Affairs Minister also had a meeting with a US congressional delegation led by Senator Jim Inhofe, chairman of powerful Senate Armed Services Committee. "Discussed our growing strategic cooperation. Value ir interest in building this relationship," he said.

Earlier Saturday, Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and discussed bilateral relationship ahead of American President Donald Trump's visit to India this month on February 24 and 25.