In first meeting with Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Rubio flags ‘irregular immigration’

The two ministers affirmed a shared commitment to continuing to strengthen the India-US partnership, she said.

“They discussed a wide range of topics, including regional issues and opportunities to further deepen the US-India relationship, in particular on critical and emerging technologies, defence cooperation, energy, and on advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” Bruce said.

In a post on X after the meeting, Jaishankar said he was delighted to meet Rubio for his first bilateral meeting after the latter assumed charge as Secretary of State.

“Reviewed our extensive bilateral partnership, of which Rubio 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,” said Jaishankar, who is in Washington DC at the invitation of the US government to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Donald Trump, who took oath as the 47th president of the US on Monday.

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… pic.twitter.com/NVpBUEAyHK

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 21, 2025

Earlier, Rubio held talks with Jaishankar and his Australian and Japanese counterparts Penny Wong and Takeshi Iwaya, following which, in a joint statement, the four nations said officials would meet regularly to prepare for an upcoming leaders’ summit in India, likely this year.