External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar attended the inaugural Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting under the new Donald Trump administration in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. The meeting marked a significant diplomatic engagement among India, the United States, Australia, and Japan.
The Quad meeting was hosted by the newly appointed US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, and included Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya. This gathering aimed to reaffirm the group’s commitment to a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
Dr. Jaishankar was the first foreign minister to hold a bilateral discussion with Secretary Rubio, signaling the importance of India-US relations. Their hour-long meeting covered key topics such as defense cooperation, critical and emerging technologies, energy collaboration, and regional stability. Secretary Rubio also expressed the Trump administration’s intent to enhance economic ties and address concerns about irregular migration.
After the meeting, Dr. Jaishankar posted on X:
“Attended a productive Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting today in Washington D.C. Thank @secrubio for hosting us and FMs @SenatorWong and Takeshi Iwaya for their participation. Agreed on the importance of thinking bigger, deepening the agenda, and intensifying our collaboration.”
He emphasized that the meeting, held just hours after Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration, highlighted the group’s priority in global diplomacy. Discussions focused on ensuring stability and peace in the Indo-Pacific amidst increasing geopolitical uncertainties.
Later, Dr. Jaishankar also met with US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz at the White House to discuss strategic priorities.
India and France Strengthen Maritime Security Cooperation
In related developments, India and France have reaffirmed their commitment to maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). During the 7th India-France Maritime Cooperation Dialogue, both nations agreed to enhance coordination for countering threats in the IOR.
The collaboration includes strengthening mechanisms such as information exchange between the Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region in Gurugram and regional centers in Seychelles and Madagascar. These measures aim to bolster maritime surveillance and ensure regional security.
These diplomatic engagements underscore India’s growing role in fostering regional and global partnerships for security and development.
