Dialogue only solution to global conflicts, Indian FM says

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has called for strengthening and modernising India’s long-standing ties with Bulgaria, stressing that both countries share similar outlooks on key global issues. Speaking in Sofia after high-level talks, he highlighted opportunities to deepen cooperation across trade, defence, technology and multilateral engagement, while reiterating India’s position that international disputes must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. 

Addressing a joint press conference with Bulgaria’s Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova, Jaishankar said discussions focused on bilateral cooperation, India’s engagement with the European Union, and broader global challenges, DD India reports.

“Our discussions today had three dimensions. First, the bilateral cooperation between India and Bulgaria. Second, the partnership between India and the European Union. And third, what our two countries can do together for the world,” Jaishankar said.

Describing relations as longstanding and comfortable, he said the priority now is to adapt the partnership to contemporary realities and future opportunities.

“Where India-Bulgaria ties are concerned, these are longstanding and very comfortable. Our task is to refashion that into a contemporary and forward-looking relationship. Politically, as our talks confirmed, we share many similar approaches and outlooks,” he added.

During his visit, Jaishankar also met Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev and conveyed the greetings of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He highlighted the expanding India–European Union partnership, pointing to recent progress on a free trade agreement, as well as cooperation on security, defence, and mobility frameworks. According to him, these initiatives have the potential to significantly deepen engagement between the two sides.

The External Affairs Minister also referred to what he described as an increasingly volatile global environment, marked by conflicts, economic uncertainty, health crises, and terrorism, reiterating India’s position that disputes must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.

“We believe that this is not an era of war. The only solution to conflicts is dialogue and diplomacy. Where economic risks are concerned, the answer is in supply chain resilience and further diversification. It is particularly important that maritime trade is neither impeded nor endangered,” he said.

Jaishankar also underlined India’s focus on advocating for the Global South, particularly in relation to energy, food, and fertiliser security. Referring to lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, he stressed the importance of strengthening international cooperation in addressing global challenges.

On terrorism, he called for a unified global approach based on zero tolerance, adding that India and Bulgaria share common positions on the issue.

“As for terrorism, the world must be clear on zero tolerance. On all these issues, there was a meeting of the minds between India and Bulgaria,” Jaishankar said.

By Vafa Guliyeva