Marco Rubio's First Bilateral Meeting as US Secretary of State to Be with S Jaishankar

Washington: The new US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, will hold his first bilateral meeting with India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, in Washington on Tuesday.

Dr. Jaishankar is in the US at the invitation of the government to attend the inauguration of Donald Trump, who was sworn in on Monday as the 47th President of the United States.

According to the State Department’s schedule, the meeting will take place at its Foggy Bottom headquarters. This will follow the first QUAD ministerial meeting of the new administration, also held at the same venue.

"Secretary Rubio meets with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar at the Department of State," stated the official advisory.

Focus on QUAD and India Relations

The QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue), an informal grouping of Australia, India, Japan, and the US, was launched during Trump’s first term and elevated to the leadership level under President Biden. Marco Rubio’s decision to prioritize QUAD as his first multilateral engagement and hold his first bilateral meeting with India reflects the administration's focus on the Indo-Pacific region.

Typically, new US administrations begin foreign outreach with Canada, Mexico, or NATO allies. Rubio’s move to prioritize India and QUAD highlights their growing importance in US foreign policy.

About Marco Rubio

Marco Rubio, a former Senator from Florida, was confirmed as Secretary of State by a unanimous 99-0 vote in the Senate. The vote included Rubio himself, leaving one vacancy following Vice President J.D. Vance’s resignation as Senator from Ohio.

Rubio, 53, has been vocal about supporting India. Last year, he introduced legislation in Congress to treat India on par with allies such as Japan, Israel, and NATO countries in technology transfers and defense partnerships. The bill also proposed barring security assistance to Pakistan if it was found to support terrorism against India.

Known for his hawkish stance on China, Rubio has faced sanctions from Beijing, including bans from entering China. As the first Latino to serve as US Secretary of State, Rubio’s approach to foreign policy is expected to reflect his strong views on security and alliances.