External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who is in New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), met leaders from different countries as part of bilateral interactions.

She also attended the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit.

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Speaking at the summit Swaraj said, “I feel privileged to be attending this event to commemorate the life and contribution of Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela’s life is an inspiration for all. He showed fearlessness and courage in the face of discrimination and adversity.”

“We are proud to call him a Bharat Ratna- a Jewel of India,” she added.

She began her day on Monday by attending the high-level event on counter-narcotics convened by US President Donald Trump. India is one of 129 countries that have signed the pledge drafted by Trump on commitment towards the international fight against drugs.

Swaraj met the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Spain, Ecuador, Colombia, Mongolia, Nepal, Morocco, Lichtenstein and Federica Mogherini, the European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and among other topics discussed strategic cooperation in trade and investment.

After Sushma Swaraj’s meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar tweeted: “Strategic partnership gaining momentum!”

Strategic partnership gaining momentum!
Continuing our frequent engagement at the highest level, EAM @SushmaSwaraj met Foreign Minister of Australia @MarisePayne. #UNGA pic.twitter.com/ArS4Kigm3j

— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) September 24, 2018

India and Australia have been building up their strategic relations reinforced by the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue that includes the US and Japan.

“Celebrating the 25th anniversary of our diplomatic relations” Sushma Swaraj and Lichtenstein Foreign Minister Aurelia Frick “exchanged views on enhancing bilateral relations in trade and investment, particularly through participation at Indian trade fairs and tourism,” Kumar tweeted.

Celebrating 25th anniversary of our diplomatic relations! EAM @SushmaSwaraj & Foreign Minister of #Liechtenstein, Aurelia Frick exchanged views on enhancing bilateral relations in trade & investment, particularly through participation at Indian trade fairs, & tourism.#UNGA2018 pic.twitter.com/SPqgUcPNqR

— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) September 24, 2018

On relations with Morocco, he noted that they stretched back to the time of Ibn Battuta, the 14th-century explorer, and tweeted that Sushma Swaraj and “Morocco Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita discussed strengthening cooperation in areas of commerce, pharma, cybersecurity, defence, and culture”.

First of the many bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the #UNGA

A historical relationship since Ibn Batuta days! EAM @SushmaSwaraj & Morocco Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita discussed strengthening cooperation in areas of commerce, pharma, cyber security, defence and culture. pic.twitter.com/lR61ow6s6g

— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) September 24, 2018

The High-Level General Assembly session begins on Tuesday.

(With agency inputs)