New Delhi:
In a significant display of diplomatic priority, India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended the inaugural ceremony of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States. This visit was marked by several high-profile engagements, including the first Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting under the new Trump administration and a bilateral meeting with the newly appointed US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.
Jaishankar’s presence at the inauguration ceremony, where he was seated prominently in the front row, underscored the special and strategic partnership between India and the US. He also carried a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to President Trump, symbolizing India’s intention to strengthen ties with the new administration.
The Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held immediately after Trump’s inauguration, was a testament to the bloc’s importance in global politics. Jaishankar joined his counterparts from the US, Japan, and Australia—US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Japan’s Takeshi Iwaya, and Australia’s Penny Wong—in Washington DC. The meeting emphasized the Quad’s commitment to ensuring a free, open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
During the meeting, the ministers discussed strategies to counter unilateral actions threatening regional stability and reaffirmed their commitment to international law and maritime security. Jaishankar highlighted the significance of the Quad, stating that it will continue to be a “force for global good” in an uncertain and volatile world. The meeting’s timing, just hours after the Trump administration’s inauguration, underscored its priority in the foreign policy of its member states.
Jaishankar’s bilateral meeting with Marco Rubio was the Secretary of State’s first such engagement after taking office, reflecting India’s importance in the new administration. The two leaders reviewed the extensive India-US partnership and exchanged views on key regional and global issues. Rubio emphasized the Trump administration’s desire to work with India on critical areas such as emerging technologies, defense cooperation, energy, and advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
In addition to the meeting with Rubio, Jaishankar also held discussions with US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz at the White House. These talks focused on strengthening bilateral relations and promoting global stability and prosperity. Jaishankar expressed optimism about collaborating on an “active and outcome-oriented agenda.”
The series of meetings and engagements during Jaishankar’s visit to the US underscored the shared commitment of both nations to advancing strategic cooperation. The discussions reinforced the importance of the India-US partnership, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, and set the stage for enhanced collaboration on various fronts.
