New US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Meets India’s EAM S. Jaishankar in First Bilateral Engagement

TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

In his inaugural bilateral meeting as the new US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio met with India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, on Tuesday at the State Department in Washington, D.C. The meeting underscores the importance of US-India relations under the new administration.

Jaishankar, who is in Washington for the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States, discussed key issues with Rubio. Trump's second term officially began on Monday.

The meeting followed the first ministerial-level meeting of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), which includes the US, India, Japan, and Australia, and is seen as a significant move in promoting stability and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. Rubio’s focus on the QUAD and India for his first bilateral engagement highlights the Biden administration’s emphasis on strengthening ties with India.

Rubio’s appointment as Secretary of State was confirmed by a unanimous vote in the Senate, with Rubio voting for his confirmation. A former US Senator from Florida, Rubio has long championed efforts to enhance US-India relations, particularly in technology collaboration and regional security.

During the meeting, the two leaders focused on advancing the US-India strategic partnership, with discussions centered on shared interests like technology cooperation, regional security, and counterterrorism efforts.

This high-level engagement signals the continued importance of US-India collaboration, especially as both nations navigate global challenges in the years ahead.