Washington DC: Amid the swirling pageantry of Washington, D.C during the inauguration day weekend here in Washington DC, where the gilded rituals of power met the fervour of an inauguration, India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, did what he is best, a deft diplomacy.
Navigating the labyrinth of ceremonial pomp and political theatre, he speed dated through a crowd thick with A-listers and Washington insiders. At his side was India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Kwatra, and their presence was a quiet but unmistakable signal of India’s intent to deepen its diplomatic footprint.
Jaishankar, acting as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s special envoy, engaged with the architects of the incoming administration, including key players in Donald Trump’s inner circle.
He was not there to shake a leg at the balls, but for the substance—a calculated effort to secure India’s place at the Trumpian table in an era of shifting geopolitical tides. “Special envoy of PM Narendra Modi is always treated well,” he remarked on being seated in the front row at the Presidential Inaugural at the US Congress rotunda.
On being asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s expected summit meeting with the US President Donald Trump he indicated that something was in the works and the two leaders share great personal chemistry which has helped the relationship.
Jaishankar’s visit has laid good ground for the bilateral partnership which is expected to get a boost during the Trump Administration.
Here are the key takeaways from his press interaction:
- First Bilateral Engagement Under Trump 2.0 Administration: External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Wednesday, marking Rubio’s first bilateral engagement since assuming office under the Trump 2.0 Administration.
- EAM also met National Security advisor, speaker Mike Johnson, six Trump Cabinet Members, senator majority leader John Thune and FBI director Kash Patel.
- Strengthening US-India Relations: The meeting, held on the sidelines of the Quad discussions, reaffirmed both nations’ commitment to strengthening their partnership and addressing regional and global challenges.
- Focus on Quad Activities: Dr Jaishankar emphasized the Trump Administration’s interest in furthering the activities of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), underscoring a shared commitment to regional cooperation and security in the Indo-Pacific.
- Prioritization of India: The External Affairs Minister noted that the Trump Administration has placed a high priority on its relationship with India, reflecting a desire to build on the strong foundation established during Trump’s first term in office.
- Broad Conversations with a Bold Vision: While the discussions were broad in nature, both sides agreed on the need for greater ambition in their bilateral relationship. Dr Jaishankar highlighted the importance of being “bolder, bigger, and more ambitious” in shaping the partnership.
- High Levels of Trust and Convergence: Dr Jaishankar described the robust trust between the two nations as a reflection of their “very high level of convergence” on regional and global issues, adding that this trust could drive impactful collaboration.
- Key Areas of Collaboration: The meeting highlighted defence, emerging technologies, and a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific as focal points of cooperation.
- Role of the Indian American Community: Dr. Jaishankar recognized the growing influence of the Indian American community, with five individuals of Indian origin currently serving in the US Congress, as a key factor in strengthening US-India ties.
- A Strong Start: Dr Jaishankar praised the Trump Administration’s keen interest in India, stating that it was evident from their invitation for India to attend the inaugural, signalling a strong start to the bilateral relationship under the new administration.
- The meeting underscores the growing importance of the US-India partnership and reflects a shared vision for addressing challenges on both regional and global fronts.
