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A light-hearted exchange between external affairs minister S Jaishankar and Finnish foreign minister Elina Valtonen briefly stole the spotlight after bilateral talks on Friday, as the two leaders shared a joke while discussing defence cooperation. The moment came during a panel discussion when Valtonen, referring to the discussions, quipped that the two sides had signed “many deals,” prompting Jaishankar to respond with a smile, “You’re not supposed to say that.” The panel discussion came in the sidelines of the Kultaranta Talks in Helsinki. Jaishankar observed that ongoing conflicts are having far-reaching consequences, imposing economic and strategic costs well beyond the regions directly affected. He stressed the need for the international community to continue efforts to manage the fallout of these crises while creating conditions conducive to dialogue and diplomacy.Highlighting the economic challenges arising from global instability, the EAM noted the importance of de-risking and diversifying supply chains to enhance resilience and reduce vulnerabilities in an increasingly uncertain world.Jaishankar also defended India’s economic decision-making, reiterating that the country’s energy procurement policies are driven by national interests, with purchases determined by considerations of affordability, accessibility and energy security. Earlier, Jaishankar held discussions with Finnish president Alexander Stubb, during which the two leaders exchanged views on major global challenges and assessed ongoing international conflicts.Stubb described India as an “influential actor” on the global stage, highlighting the importance of hearing New Delhi’s views during discussions on major international issues.”We met today at Kultaranta with India’s Foreign Minister S Jaishankar. We discussed the situation in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf, efforts to end Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, and the upcoming G7 summit. India is an influential actor whose views are important to hear,” Stubb said through a post on X.Jaishankar also shared details of the meeting on X, saying he was “pleased to meet President Alexander Stubb of Finland on the sidelines of the Kultaranta Talks. We exchanged views on the evolving geopolitical situation and underscored the importance of diplomacy in navigating an increasingly uncertain global environment.”
