External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar convened with his counterparts from Australia and Japan in Washington, D.C., on Sunday to discuss bilateral and QUAD-related issues.
The QUAD, a strategic coalition of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States, was originally initiated during Donald Trump’s first term. The grouping gained momentum under the Joe Biden administration, which elevated it to the leadership level.
As the second Trump administration prepares to take office, Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State-designate, is expected to prioritize a QUAD ministerial meeting as one of his initial international engagements. This move underscores the continued emphasis on the QUAD partnership in U.S. foreign policy.
"Delighted to meet FM @SenatorWong, a Quad colleague, in Washington DC today. As always, enjoyed our discussion on the state of the world," Jaishankar shared on X after his interaction with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
Jaishankar also met with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya to review bilateral progress and discuss QUAD developments. "Good to meet with FM Takeshi Iwaya of Japan. Reviewed the progress in our bilateral cooperation. Also discussed developments pertaining to Quad," he posted.
Strengthening India-U.S. Ties
According to sources within the Trump transition team, both President-elect Donald Trump and Rubio have expressed a strong commitment to advancing the India-U.S. relationship. Rubio is reportedly planning a bilateral meeting with Jaishankar immediately after his anticipated confirmation and swearing-in as Secretary of State, which could occur as early as Monday evening.
Rubio’s arrival at the State Department’s Foggy Bottom headquarters is expected to coincide with these high-level discussions, emphasizing the administration's focus on fostering deeper collaboration within the QUAD framework.
Diplomacy Surrounding the Trump Inauguration
The foreign ministers of all QUAD nations are in Washington to attend the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States on Monday.
In a parallel diplomatic engagement, Vice President-elect JD Vance welcomed Chinese Vice President Han Zheng to the U.S. for the inauguration. Their dialogue covered critical topics such as the fentanyl crisis, trade relations, and regional stability, according to a media release.
As the Trump administration prepares to navigate its second term, the QUAD continues to be a cornerstone of its foreign policy strategy, aimed at ensuring regional stability and fostering strategic cooperation among member nations.
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