Jaishankar speaks with new Iranian FM; discusses Afghanistan with Canadian FM

New Delhi : External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in a congratulatory call to new Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation, and also appreciated Tehran’s help in repatriation flights from Afghanistan.

Jaishankar, in a tweet late Wednesday night, said: “A warm congratulatory call to Iranian FM @Amirabdolahian. Agreed to strengthen our bilateral cooperation. Discussed pressing regional issues.

“Appreciate Iran’s facilitation of our repatriation flights from Afghanistan.”

Some of the Indian evacuation flights from Iran, especially the first one bringing back the Indian ambassador and embassy staff from Kabul on August 16, flew over Iranian air space.

The new Iranian Foreign Minister took over a week ago. He was Iran’s deputy foreign minister for three years until 2016 under former foreign minister Javad Zarif.

Jaishankar also spoke with his Canadian counterpart Marc Garneau and had a ‘good discussion on the challenges of Afghanistan’.

In a tweet, he said: “Welcomed the call from Canadian FM @MarcGarneau today.

Good discussion on the challenges of Afghanistan.”