Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has held separate telephonic talks with his counterparts from Maldives and Bhutan among others with a focus on further boosting their bilateral ties in the South Asian framework. 

On his conversation with his Maldivian counterpart Abdulla Shahid, Jaishankar said the great progress in bilateral ties was recognised in the talks and the mutual benefits were very visible, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. 

Referring to the talks with Bhutanese Foreign Minister Tandi Dorji, Jaishankar said the unique relationship between the two countries stands even stronger amidst the coronavirus challenge.

“A warm conversation and New Year greetings exchange with @FMBhutan. Assessed the continuing progress in our Development Partnership. Our unique relationship stands even stronger amidst the Corona challenge,” Jaishankar said.

He had spoken to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday night and to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday.

(SAM)