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In a significant move that foreign affairs experts say speaks volume about India’s influence on the global scale, Marco Rubio the new Secretary of State of the USA (their foreign minister) held his first official bilateral meeting with External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar.

The meeting took place on Tuesday the 21st of January 2025 in Washington DC.

In a social media message, the EAM stated – ‘Attended a productive Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting today in Washington DC. Thank Secretary Marco Rubio for hosting us and FMs Senator Penny Wong & Takeshi Iwaya for their participation.

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.;

In a separate statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that QUAD foreign ministers reaffirmed their ‘shared commitment to strengthening a Free and Open Indo-Pacific where the rule of law, democratic values, sovereignty, and territorial integrity are upheld and defended.

The MEA statement added that  – ‘Our four nations maintain our conviction that international law, economic opportunity, peace, stability, and security in all domains including the maritime domain underpin the development and prosperity of the peoples of the Indo-Pacific. We also strongly oppose any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion.

It may be recalled that India will be hoisting the next Quad Leader’s Summit meeting later this year.