U.S. President Donald Trump is back with an administration led by "America First" policies, and the independence of Japanese diplomacy is being put to the test. An international rules-based order must be protected without fail to ensure the stability of Asia.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with Japan's Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya in Washington DC. They reviewed key areas of cooperation, including politics, security, economy and Quad-related developments.

The four nations in a joint statement after the talks in Washington emphasised that the officials will prepare for an upcoming leaders' summit, set to be held in India this year.

Representing India at Trump's inauguration in Washington, S Jaishankar is also holding bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Japan and Australia.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met Japan's Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya in Washington DC.Jaishankar said they discussed the progress in their bilateral cooperation and took stock of Quad's developments.

The meeting, bringing together representatives of the four largest militaries in the Indo-Pacific, was a clear signal that the Trump administration will intensify military preparations and threats directed at China.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said, “The arson attack on our consulate in San Francisco is a very, very serious matter…”

Jaishankar held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Australia and Japan on Sunday. The foreign ministers of the Quad are in Washington to attend the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Donald Trump.

The Quad meeting was also attended by foreign ministers, Penny Wong from Australia and Takeshi Iwaya from Japan

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is here to attend US President-elect Donald Trump's swearing-in, met with his counterparts from Australia and Japan during which they discussed bilateral issues and those pertaining to QUAD.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar represented India at Trump's swearing-in ceremony at the invitation of the US government and carried a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the new President.

Trump presidency could disrupt Asia with aggressive tariffs, stricter immigration policies, and heightened geopolitical tensions. While some leaders express cautious optimism, the region faces mounting pressure to align with U.