EAM S. Jaishankar Holds Key Meetings with Trump Administration, Discusses Bilateral Relations and Quad Cooperation
Washington, Jan 23: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar engaged with senior members of the Trump administration on Wednesday, further strengthening bilateral ties between India and the United States. Jaishankar, who had attended President Donald Trump’s inauguration as a special envoy for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, met with key figures, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and other top cabinet members.
Jaishankar and Rubio held a Quad ministerial meeting and discussed ways to enhance cooperation, with a focus on bolstering Indo-US relations. This was Jaishankar’s second meeting with Waltz since their first interaction in December. The EAM also met with influential Republican leaders, such as Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, to solidify India’s position within US policy circles.
Jaishankar noted that while the discussions were in the early stages, the overall sentiment was one of shared ambition for deeper and more meaningful engagement between both nations. He described the conversations as being centered around broad consensus, emphasizing the need for bold actions to further the Indo-US relationship.
“It was very clear that the Trump administration was keen to have India’s presence at the inauguration and was clearly prioritizing the bilateral relationship,” Jaishankar said. He also highlighted the ongoing efforts to build on the foundation laid by the previous Trump administration, noting the importance of continued progress in areas like trade, security, and strategic partnerships.
A key topic of the meeting was the Quad, the strategic forum comprising India, the United States, Japan, and Australia. Jaishankar expressed optimism about the future of the Quad, emphasizing that it was the first Trump administration that had revived the forum in 2017 after its early disbandment in 2008. Jaishankar acknowledged the group’s evolution and the importance of taking the Quad to the next level, signaling a renewed commitment to intensifying its activities under the new administration.
The Quad, initially founded after the 2004 Tsunami, has become a crucial platform for regional cooperation and security, especially in the Indo-Pacific region, in response to growing geopolitical challenges.
Jaishankar’s visit and discussions underline India’s deepening engagement with the United States and its continued focus on strengthening international partnerships.
