• Jaishankar rejected the possibility of trade with Pakistan.
• Diplomats are trying to arrange a Modi-Trump meeting.
WASHINGTON: India has increased its influence in the US since Donald Trump was sworn in, with its foreign minister among the first people to meet the new secretary of state. I am involved, and efforts are already underway to arrange a meeting between the new US president. Narendra Modi.
Indian Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, whose meeting with Marco Rubio marked the latter’s first bilateral engagement since taking office, also held a press conference, where he said trade with Pakistan would be resumed anytime soon. Rejected the possibility of initiation.
Rubio’s tenure began with a clear focus on countering China’s growing influence, underscoring US reliance on India as a strategic counterbalance in the Asia-Pacific region.
On his first day in office, Rubio’s multilateral meetings prioritized the Quad countries — India, Japan and Australia. US media outlets interpreted the moves as a sign that Rubio’s foreign policy agenda is aimed at elevating India’s role as a key US partner in the Asia-Pacific.
Analysts say that this change will have a significant impact on US relations with Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Trump-Modi meeting
Meanwhile, Indian and US diplomats are trying to arrange a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump in Washington in February. Reuters Reported
While it is not certain that the leaders will meet in February, sources told Reuters that a bilateral meeting was possible later in the year, including at the annual summit of Quad Group leaders, hosted by India. will go
As a senator, Rubio supported legislation to designate India as a key US ally, comparable to Japan, Israel and NATO countries, particularly in technology. In the transition context.
However, Rubio’s pivot to India has raised concerns for Pakistan.
Michael Kugelman, a South Asia expert at the Wilson Center in Washington, observed, “The next White House will likely place a relatively low priority on relations with Pakistan, even as it pressures Islamabad to soften its alliance with Beijing. can increase”.
Trade with Pakistan
Responding to questions from reporters at the Indian Embassy in Washington, Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said that there was no discussion on trade between his country and Pakistan, nor was there any proposal to resume the flow of trade. is Dawn.com Reported
In response to a question about trade with Pakistan, Jaishankar said: “After last year, there has been no discussion regarding trade with Pakistan, nor has there been any initiative from them.” “
He further claimed about the situation between the neighbours: “We have never stopped trade. Whatever steps were taken to stop trade with India in 2019 were taken by them.
“Our concern from the beginning was that they never gave us (Most Favored Nation) status, even though we gave them that status,” he said.
Last August, Pakistan’s foreign office said there was no benefit to trade with India, citing the unchanged situation in Indian-administered Kashmir since the events of 2019.
Published in Dawn, January 23, 2025.
