External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reflected on India’s strong ties with the first Trump administration, particularly highlighting the revival of the QUAD framework during Trump’s presidency.
Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar speaks during a panel discussion on ‘Conflict Resolution in a New Era’, in Doha, Qatar, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (PTI Photo)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday addressed President-elect Donald TrumpтАЩs threat to impose 100 per cent tariffs on BRICS nations, asserting that India has тАЬno interestтАЭ in weakening the US dollar.
Speaking at the 22nd Doha Forum on тАШConflict Resolution in a New Era,тАЩ Jaishankar reflected on IndiaтАЩs strong ties with the first Trump administration, particularly highlighting the revival of the QUAD framework during TrumpтАЩs presidency.
тАЬWe had a good relationship, a very solid relationship with the first Trump administration, yes there were some issues mostly trade related issues, but there were a whole lot of issues on which Trump was very international, and i remind people that it was actually under Trump that the QUAD was restarted,тАЭ he said.
He also emphasised the personal rapport between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President-elect Trump, which has bolstered India-US bilateral ties.
Commenting on the BRICS-related remarks, Jaishankar stated, тАЬThere a personal relation between PM Modi and TrumpтАжWhere the BRICS remarks was concerened. WeтАЩve always said that India has never been for de-dolarisation, right now there is no proposal to have a BRICS currency. The BRICS do discuss financial transrationsтАжUS is our largest trade partner, we have no interest in weakning the dollar at all,тАЭ he added.
JaishankarтАЩs comments came during a panel discussion alongside QatarтАЩs Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and NorwayтАЩs Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide.
Strengthening India-Qatar relations
Jaishankar is currently on an official visit to Qatar and Bahrain from December 6 to 9. In Bahrain, he is set to co-chair the 4th India-Bahrain High Joint Commission (HJC) with Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani. He will also participate in the 20th IISS Manama Dialogue on December 8.
Earlier, Jaishankar met QatarтАЩs Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Saudi Arabia, where they discussed advancing bilateral ties. Sharing details of the meeting, Jaishankar tweeted: тАЬBegan the day with a good meeting with PM & FM of Qatar @MBA_AlThani_. Discussed taking India-Qatar bilateral ties forward. Appreciated his insights and assessments on regional developments.тАЭ
The leaders also held discussions in Doha in June, focusing on strengthening cooperation across various sectors and addressing key regional challenges.
Jaishankar conveyed warm greetings from Prime Minister Modi to QatarтАЩs Amir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. He highlighted the robust India-Qatar partnership, underscoring collaboration in trade, investment, energy, technology, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.
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