US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to meet EAM Jaishankar in first bilateral engagement

In a pivotal moment for US-India relations, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to meet with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday, January 24, 2025. This meeting marks their first bilateral engagement under the new administration of President Donald Trump, who was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States just days earlier. Jaishankar’s visit to the US comes at the government’s invitation, coinciding with the inauguration ceremony held on January 20.

During the inauguration, Jaishankar met with key members of President Trump’s administration, signaling a robust start to diplomatic relations. The meeting with Secretary Rubio will take place at the Department of State, following the inaugural QUAD ministerial meeting at the same location. The QUAD, which includes Australia, India, Japan, and the US, was established during Trump’s first term and was later elevated to a leadership-level forum under the Biden administration.

Secretary Rubio’s decision to begin his tenure with the QUAD ministerial as his first multilateral engagement and to host India as his first bilateral partner is notable. Traditionally, new US administrations tend to prioritize initial foreign engagements with neighboring countries like Canada and Mexico or with NATO allies. Rubio’s choice signals a shift in focus toward strengthening ties with India, a move that aligns with his longstanding advocacy for robust US-India relations.

Rubio, who was confirmed by the Senate with a unanimous 99-0 vote, is recognized for his proactive approach to foreign policy, especially regarding India. He introduced a bill in Congress last year to elevate India’s status to that of key US allies such as Japan, Israel, South Korea, and NATO members. The legislation aims to facilitate technology transfers and bolster India’s defenses against escalating threats to its territorial integrity. Additionally, the bill proposes denying security assistance to Pakistan if it is found to be sponsoring terrorism against India.

As a prominent figure in US politics, Rubio has a hawkish stance on China and has faced sanctions from Beijing, resulting in a ban on his entry into the country. He made history as the first Latino to serve as US Secretary of State, following a distinguished career in the Senate from January 3, 2011, to January 20, 2025, where he served as the top Republican on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

The upcoming meeting between Secretary Rubio and EAM Jaishankar holds the promise of strengthening bilateral ties and advancing mutual interests in the Indo-Pacific region, paving the way for a fruitful partnership between the world’s oldest and largest democracies.