Marco Rubio, the newly appointed U.S. Secretary of State, began his tenure by meeting with the foreign ministers of the Quad nations—India’s S. Jaishankar, Japan’s Takeshi Iwaya, and Australia’s Penny Wong—on Tuesday at the U.S. Department of State. The Quad, a strategic partnership between India, Australia, Japan, and the United States, aims to promote an open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region that is inclusive and resilient.
The Quad foreign ministers posed with Rubio in front of their national flags before commencing discussions. This high-profile meeting marked a significant start to Rubio’s role as Secretary of State, underscoring the Biden administration’s focus on strengthening alliances in the Indo-Pacific region.
The foreign ministers of India, Japan, and Australia were in Washington to attend the inauguration of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance earlier this week.
Earlier in the day, Rubio was sworn in as Secretary of State by Vice President Vance. The White House confirmed Rubio’s appointment, celebrating his unanimous confirmation as the first member of President Trump’s cabinet. “Congratulations to Marco Rubio on his unanimous confirmation as Secretary of State—the first in President Trump’s Cabinet. America is back and entering a golden age,” the White House said on X.
Marco Rubio’s story reflects the American Dream, as shared by the White House. Born to Cuban immigrant parents in Miami, Rubio grew up witnessing his family’s dedication to hard work. His father worked as a banquet bartender, while his mother held various jobs, including as a factory worker, cashier, and hotel maid. Inspired by his family’s resilience and his grandfather’s warnings about the dangers of communism, Rubio pursued public service to protect freedom and opportunity.
During his 14 years in the U.S. Senate, Rubio fought for American values at home and abroad. His extensive travel and interactions with foreign leaders have equipped him with a deep understanding of global diplomacy, making him a pivotal figure in President Trump’s foreign policy team.
On Monday, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States at the U.S. Capitol. Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath, and Vice President JD Vance was also sworn in as the 50th U.S. Vice President earlier that day.
In his inaugural address, Trump declared the beginning of a “golden age” for America, referring to January 20 as “Liberation Day.” He emphasized his administration’s commitment to addressing inflation and reiterated his energy policy slogan, “drill baby drill,” highlighting plans to increase domestic oil production.
Rubio’s meeting with Quad ministers signifies the administration’s prioritization of partnerships and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, setting the tone for his leadership at the State Department.
