US Secretary of State Marco Rubio lauded Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar during the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held on Tuesday, which brought together leaders from India, Japan, Australia, and the United States. Rubio warmly acknowledged Jaishankar’s relentless global engagement, calling him a “very busy man.”
“I’ve seen him several times in just six months. He’s always on the move. Every time I check the news, Dr. Jaishankar is in a different part of the world,” Rubio said during his opening remarks. His comments came ahead of the strategic four-nation meeting aimed at strengthening Indo-Pacific cooperation.
Rubio emphasized the strategic importance of the Quad alliance, saying, “It’s time to deliver action on key issues.”
The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) is a strategic platform between the United States, India, Japan, and Australia focused on maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, ensuring maritime security, and promoting economic and technological collaboration.
Key Outcomes from the Quad Meeting:
Dr. Jaishankar described the proceedings of the meeting as “very productive” in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Alongside the main summit, Jaishankar also held a bilateral meeting with Secretary Rubio to strengthen ties further.
One of the major announcements following the talks was the launch of the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative—an ambitious new partnership aimed at diversifying and securing supply chains for essential minerals. The initiative is expected to play a key role in strengthening economic security and resilience across member nations.
India–US Trade Negotiations: Progress and Challenges
On the trade front, Dr. Jaishankar expressed optimism that ongoing India-US trade talks could reach a successful conclusion, noting that it would require “give and take” to find common ground.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump voiced support for a trade agreement with India that could boost the competitiveness of American businesses in the Indian market. He also suggested that such a deal could significantly reduce tariffs, but showed skepticism over a trade agreement with Japan before the looming July 9 deadline for new levies.
Divergence on Pahalgam Attack Narrative
A point of diplomatic tension arose around differing accounts of US involvement in India-Pakistan relations following the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 Indian tourists were killed in Jammu and Kashmir in April. President Trump had claimed that US pressure helped prevent a broader conflict, but India pushed back on that narrative.
Dr. Jaishankar reiterated that trade talks had no bearing on the ceasefire that followed the attack. He emphasized that, while every bilateral relationship has issues, what matters most is the shared ability to manage and navigate those challenges constructively.
In a unified Quad statement, member nations condemned the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which India attributed to Pakistan-based militants. The attack led to escalated tensions and heavy skirmishes between India and Pakistan, culminating in a ceasefire on May 10.
Strengthening India–US Defense Cooperation
Following the Quad summit, Dr. Jaishankar visited the Pentagon, where US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth highlighted ongoing efforts to deepen defense ties between India and the United States.
“We hope to finalize several major defense sales to India and advance shared efforts in defense industrial cooperation and co-production,” said Hegseth. The discussions aim to further enhance bilateral security coordination and strengthen strategic deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Conclusion
The Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting marked a significant step forward in multilateral cooperation among the four strategic allies. With ambitious initiatives like the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative, discussions on defense integration, and progress on trade dialogues, the summit signaled a renewed commitment to ensuring stability, economic resilience, and security in the Indo-Pacific.
Dr. Jaishankar’s dynamic diplomatic presence and India’s proactive engagement in global affairs continue to position the country as a pivotal player on the international stage—an observation aptly captured by Secretary Rubio’s praise.
