US prioritises India as Secretary of State Marco Rubio picks Jaishankar for his maiden bilateral meeting

The Indian minister wrote on X, "Delighted to meet @secrubio for his first bilateral meeting after assumption of office as Secretary of State. Reviewed our extensive bilateral partnership, of which @secrubio has been a strong advocate. Also exchanged views on a wide range of regional and global issues. Look forward to closely working with him to advance our strategic cooperation.

"Jaishankar, who represented India at Donald Trump's inauguration as the US president on Monday, met Rubio after attending the Quad meeting."

The two posed for a photo-op in front of the press shaking hands and smiling.

US Department of State spokesperson Tammy Bruce underlined the key areas that were touched upon in the meeting between Rubio and Jaishankar.

Bruce said, "Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar today in Washington, D.C. Secretary Rubio and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar affirmed a shared commitment to continuing to strengthen the partnership between the United States and India.

"They discussed a wide range of topics, including regional issues and opportunities to further deepen the U.S.-India relationship, in particular on critical and emerging technologies, defense cooperation, energy, and on advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific region."

"Secretary Rubio also emphasized the Trump Administration’s desire to work with India to advance economic ties and address concerns related to irregular migration," he added.

Jaishankar, who represented India at Donald Trump's inauguration as the US president on Monday, met Rubio after attending the Quad meeting.

For the beginners, the Quad is a grouping of four countries - Australia, India, Japan and the United States - aimed at maintaining peace and law and order in the Indo-Pacific region.

Jaishankar, who was given a front row seat at Trump's inauguration ceremony at Capital One Arena in Washington, praised the hosting of the Quad meeting within hours after the Trump administration's inauguration.

The external affairs minister wrote on X, "Significant that the Quad FMM took place within hours of the inauguration of the Trump Administration. This underlines the priority it has in the foreign policy of its member states. Our wide-ranging discussions addressed different dimensions of ensuring a free, open, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific."

"Agreed on the importance of thinking bigger, deepening the agenda and intensifying our collaboration. The meeting today sends a clear message that in an uncertain and volatile world, the Quad will continue to be a force for global good," he added.

Taking oath as the 47th President of the United States, Trump on Monday said the "golden age" of America has begun and the country will be "greater than ever before."

"The golden age of America begins right now. From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world. We will be the envy of every nation, and we will not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of any longer during every single day of the Trump administration," Trump said amid massive applause and standing ovations.

In what might impact even India, Trump in his inaugural address pledged tariffs of 10 percent on global imports.

Though he didn't mention India whom he had once called the "king of tariffs", Trump announced a tariff of 60 percent on Chinese goods and 25 percent import surcharge on Canadian and Mexican goods.

Earlier, the Republican leader had slammed several countries including India for imposing high tariffs on US goods.