External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is on a visit to Slovakia and the Czech Republic

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg in Slovakia on Thursday and the two leaders addressed bilateral issues regarding Afghanistan's situation and the Indo-Pacific region.

Jaishankar arrived in Slovakia's capital Bratislava on the first leg of his two-nation journey to Slovakia and the Czech Republic to bolster ties with the two central European countries.

Informing about the meeting, he tweeted, "Great to see my friend FM @a_schallenberg of Austria. Noted the progress in our bilateral cooperation since his March visit. Appreciated his perspectives on the Ukraine conflict and its implications. Also discussed the situation in Afghanistan and the Indo-Pacific."

Schallenberg had visited India on March 19-21 amid the Ukraine crisis. He had held delegation level talks with EAM Jaishankar.

Prior to the Austrian Foreign Minister's visit, India and Austria had also held the sixth round of Foreign Office Consultations virtually and discussed various aspects of bilateral relations including political, economic, commercial ties as well as cultural and academic linkages.

EAM Jaishankar's current visit coincides with Europe's ongoing deliberations over the consequences of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

In Slovakia, Jaishankar will meet Prime Minister Eduard Heger and conduct bilateral talks with Foreign Minister Ivan Korcok in Bratislava.

He will also speak on the theme of 'Taking Friendship to the Next Level: Allies in the Indo-Pacific Region' at the GLOBSEC 2022 Forum.

While visiting the Czech Republic from June 4 to 6, EAM Jaishankar will meet with the Czech Republic's Foreign Affairs Minister Jan Lipavsk. The talks will give a chance to evaluate the bilateral collaboration between the countries in detail.

Noting that the Czech Republic will assume the EU presidency on July 1, the MEA had earlier said, "The discussions will provide an opportunity for a comprehensive review of our bilateral cooperation."

In addition, Jaishankar will meet with members of the Indian diaspora, including Indian students in Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

According to the MEA, India has traditionally enjoyed close and friendly ties with both Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The External Affairs Minister's visit will impart further momentum to bilateral relations with the two Central European countries, it had said.