During a recent meeting in Washington, India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar discussed the growing significance of US-India relations, especially under the Trump 2.0 administration. This was Dr. Jaishankar’s first official engagement with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, marking a key moment in reinforcing bilateral ties. The discussions took place on the sidelines of the Quad meeting, where both parties reaffirmed their shared vision to address regional and global challenges.
Dr. Jaishankar emphasized the Trump administration’s desire for India to play a central role in major global initiatives, citing the strong foundation laid by the first Trump administration. He noted the administration’s clear priority to strengthen the US-India partnership. The Minister also highlighted the Quad’s significance, noting that both the US and India are eager to intensify cooperation within this framework to promote regional security in the Indo-Pacific.
The discussions reflected a high level of trust between the two nations, with Dr. Jaishankar underscoring the alignment of interests and the growing potential for collaboration. “There is a very strong degree of trust today between India and the US, and there is much we can achieve together,” he said, pointing to both countries’ shared goals on global and regional issues.
While the meeting was an introductory one, Dr. Jaishankar mentioned that both sides agreed on the need for a more ambitious and bold approach to their bilateral relationship. The talks underscored a shared vision of expanding defense cooperation, exploring emerging technologies, and securing a free and open Indo-Pacific. Additionally, the role of the Indian-American community, now more influential than ever, was highlighted as a crucial factor in fostering US-India ties, with several members serving in the US Congress.
