“New US Secretary of State and NSA Hold First Bilateral Talks with India’s Foreign Minister”
January 22, 2025: Washington DC: The newly inaugurated Trump administration underscored its commitment to strengthening US-India ties by scheduling its first high-level meetings with India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. These meetings, including bilateral discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Walz, signal India’s significant role in the US’s foreign policy priorities.
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Highlights of the Key Meetings:
1. First Bilateral Meeting with Marco Rubio
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- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio chose India’s Foreign Minister S Jaishankar for his first international engagement, deviating from traditional outreach to Canada, Mexico, or NATO allies.
- The meeting at the Foggy Bottom headquarters addressed a range of strategic issues, with a focus on advancing the India-US partnership.
- Dr Jaishankar expressed optimism, tweeting, “Reviewed our extensive bilateral partnership… Look forward to closely working with him to advance our strategic cooperation.”
2. Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
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- Dr Jaishankar joined Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi, and Secretary Rubio for the first Quad meeting under the Trump administration.
- Discussions focused on promoting a free, open, and stable Indo-Pacific.
- Dr Jaishankar noted the urgency of this meeting, saying, “This underlines the priority it has in the foreign policy of its member states.”
3. Meeting with National Security Adviser Mike Walz
- Dr Jaishankar was the first international diplomat to meet newly appointed NSA Mike Walz at the White House.
- Talks centered on strengthening bilateral ties to ensure mutual benefits and enhance global stability.
- Dr Jaishankar shared his enthusiasm for a “productive and outcome-oriented agenda” with the US.
Additional Engagements
- Dr Jaishankar attended President Trump’s inaugural address and met with key figures of the new administration, including Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune.
- The minister highlighted the “great honour” of representing India during this historic moment.
Tags: US-India relations, S Jaishankar, Donald Trump inauguration, Quad meeting, Marco Rubio, Mike Walz, Indo-Pacific strategy, US foreign policy.
