Newly appointed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to meet External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar for their first bilateral discussion under the Biden administration. The meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, comes as part of Jaishankar’s visit to the United States, where he is attending the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States.
Jaishankar is in Washington, D.C., at the invitation of the US government to witness Trump’s inauguration, which took place on Monday. The meeting with Rubio will mark an important moment in diplomatic relations between India and the United States.
In a statement, the US State Department confirmed that Secretary Rubio will meet with India’s External Affairs Minister at the department’s headquarters in Foggy Bottom. Following the first QUAD ministerial meeting of the new administration, the two leaders will sit down for the bilateral talks, signaling a growing focus on India within the Biden administration’s foreign policy priorities. The QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue), an informal partnership of Australia, India, Japan, and the US, was first initiated during Donald Trump’s tenure and elevated by the Biden administration to a leadership-level forum.
Rubio’s decision to start his tenure as Secretary of State with a focus on both the QUAD and a bilateral meeting with India underscores the importance of US-India relations. It is worth noting that newly appointed US secretaries often prioritize initial diplomatic efforts with neighboring countries, such as Canada or Mexico, or NATO allies. This move signals a shift in US foreign policy, reflecting the importance of strengthening ties with India as a key global partner.
The US Senate confirmed Marco Rubio, who served as a US Senator from Florida for over a decade, as Secretary of State with unanimous support, receiving a 99-0 vote. Rubio’s appointment has attracted significant attention due to his previous actions on India-related issues, particularly his push for stronger cooperation between the two nations.
In 2024, Rubio introduced a bill that sought to elevate India to the same level as key US allies such as Japan, Israel, South Korea, and NATO members. This bill aimed to bolster technology transfers and support India in addressing rising security threats. Rubio also called for the denial of security assistance to Pakistan if it were found to be sponsoring terrorism against India.
Rubio, known for his firm stance on China, is one of the most prominent figures in US foreign policy. His hawkish approach to Beijing has earned him sanctions from China, including a ban on entering the country in 2020. Rubio’s advocacy for India and his position as the top Republican on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence make him a key player in shaping US policy toward the Indo-Pacific region.
The upcoming meeting between Rubio and Jaishankar will be an essential step in further strengthening the strategic partnership between India and the United States.
