The Trump administration has made a strong statement about its commitment to strengthening ties with India. Marco Rubio, the newly appointed US Secretary of State, and Mike Waltz, the National Security Adviser, prioritized meetings with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. These discussions marked a significant start to the new administration’s foreign policy.
India First in Bilateral Talks
Marco Rubio, in his first act as Secretary of State, chose to meet S. Jaishankar at the US State Department. This meeting deviated from the usual protocol of prioritizing neighbors like Canada and Mexico or NATO allies. The hour-long discussion covered key areas of India-US strategic cooperation. The Indian Ambassador to the US, Vinay Kwatra, also participated.
Following the meeting, both leaders appeared before the press. Dr. Jaishankar tweeted, “Reviewed our extensive bilateral partnership. Delighted to meet @secrubio for his first bilateral meeting after assumption of office.”
Quad Ministers Meet in Washington
Before the bilateral meeting, S. Jaishankar attended the new administration’s first Quad ministerial meet. The meeting included Australia’s Penny Wong and Japan’s Iwaya Takeshi. This session reaffirmed the Quad’s commitment to maintaining peace and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Quad discussions lasted over an hour and focused on deepening cooperation and expanding the agenda. Dr. Jaishankar later tweeted, “Significant that the Quad FMM took place within hours of the inauguration. This underlines its priority in member states’ foreign policy.”
Meeting with NSA Mike Waltz
Dr. Jaishankar also held talks with Mike Waltz, the new US National Security Adviser. This marked Waltz’s first international engagement since assuming office. The meeting took place at the White House and focused on shared goals for stability and prosperity.
“Great to meet NSA @michaelgwaltz again. Discussed strengthening our friendship to ensure mutual benefit and enhance global stability,” Jaishankar said.
Attending Trump’s Inauguration
Dr. Jaishankar attended Donald Trump’s swearing-in as the 47th President of the United States. Sitting in the front row, he described the event as a “great honor.” On the sidelines, he interacted with key US figures, including Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune.
A New Era for India-US Relations
The Trump administration’s early outreach to India signals a renewed focus on bilateral and multilateral cooperation. The meetings underscore the importance of India-US relations in addressing regional and global challenges. With this robust start, both nations appear set to deepen their partnership in the coming years.
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