India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar participated in the first Quad ministerial meeting of the new Trump administration, alongside his counterparts from Australia, Japan, and the United States. The meeting, held at the State Department in Washington DC, underscored the commitment of the Quad nations to maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
Key Participants and Discussions
The Quad ministerial was attended by Jaishankar, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi, and newly-appointed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This gathering marked Rubio’s first multilateral engagement since assuming office, reflecting the strategic priority the Quad holds for the United States.
During the meeting, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing collaboration in ensuring a free, open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Jaishankar highlighted the significance of the meeting taking place within hours of the Trump administration’s inauguration, emphasising its importance in the foreign policies of the member states.
Jaishankar took to social media platform X to express his satisfaction with the meeting, thanking Rubio for hosting and acknowledging the participation of his counterparts. “Significant that the Quad FMM took place within hours of the inauguration of the Trump administration. This underlines the priority it has in the foreign policy of its member states,” he posted.
Rubio, speaking to NBC News earlier in the day, mentioned that the meeting aimed to reaffirm the importance of working with allies on matters critical to America and its citizens. A readout of the discussions is expected to be released soon.
Bilateral Engagements with US Officials
Following the Quad ministerial, Jaishankar engaged in a bilateral meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The discussions, which lasted over an hour, covered the extensive bilateral partnership between India and the US, as well as a wide range of regional and global issues.
India’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Kwatra, was also present at the meeting. Jaishankar described the session as “delightful” and reiterated India’s commitment to working closely with the US on strategic cooperation.
Meeting with US National Security Advisor
In addition to his meeting with Rubio, Jaishankar held discussions with US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz at the White House. The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen the India-US partnership for mutual benefit and enhance global stability and prosperity.
Jaishankar shared on X, “Great to meet NSA @michaelgwaltz again this afternoon. Discussed strengthening our friendship to ensure mutual benefit and enhance global stability and prosperity. Looking forward to working together on an active and outcome-oriented agenda.”
Jaishankar’s visit to Washington DC, marked by the Quad ministerial and high-level bilateral engagements, reaffirmed India’s commitment to fostering strategic partnerships and addressing regional challenges. The Quad nations’ focus on deepening collaboration and tackling emerging global challenges highlights the significance of their collective efforts in the Indo-Pacific region.