According to the reports on Wednesday (22 January), US Secretary of State Marco Rubio began his tenure by meeting with counterparts from Australia, India, and Japan, focusing on the Indo-Pacific Quad alliance. The meeting highlighted their shared opposition to using force to alter the regional status quo and outlined plans for regular coordination. India’s Foreign Minister, S. Jaishankar, emphasized strengthening the India-US partnership and advancing strategic cooperation. The Quad’s importance in the Trump administration’s foreign policy agenda was underscored by the timing of the meeting.
President Donald Trump, on his first day as the 47th US president, announced sweeping policy changes, including national emergencies on energy and immigration. He emphasized the deportation of undocumented migrants, the designation of cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, and reinstating the “Remain in Mexico” policy. Trump declared a merit-based and gender-specific framework, recognizing only two genders, male and female, as part of his administration’s approach to gender and diversity policies. The Spanish-language White House website was also removed as part of these early actions.
Immigration policies are under scrutiny, particularly the status of undocumented Indians in the US. Trump expressed support for the H-1B visa program, which benefits skilled immigrants, but the potential deportation of over 20,000 undocumented Indians raises concerns. The Indian government is uneasy about the implications for its citizens abroad, with deportations threatening both individuals and US-India relations. Economists warn of potential economic losses from such deportations, estimated at up to $1.7 trillion.
Trump’s administration also tackled global security issues, including sanctions on Russia to end the war in Ukraine, and criticized the handling of wildfires in Los Angeles, vowing improved emergency responses. His inaugural address declared the beginning of a “golden age” for America, promising energy independence, economic stability, and national security. These actions, including his stance on gender and immigration, signal a bold and controversial start to his presidency.
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