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External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur. The two leaders discussed strengthening bilateral relations, the progress of ongoing trade negotiations, and key regional and global developments. “Glad to meet @SecRubio this morning in Kuala Lumpur. Appreciated the discussion on our bilateral ties as well as regional and global issues,” Mr. Jaishankar posted on X after the meeting. Focus on India–US trade agreement The meeting comes at a crucial time, as India and the United States are in the final stages of concluding a bilateral trade agreement. According to officials familiar with the discussions, the deal is “very near” to being finalised. Both sides have completed five rounds of negotiations for the first phase of the agreement, which aims to boost trade, reduce tariffs, and enhance market access across key sectors such as technology, defence, agriculture, and energy. The proposed deal is expected to mark a significant step forward in expanding the strategic partnership between India and the U.S., especially amid shifting global economic alignments. Engagements on the sidelines of ASEAN Summit Mr. Jaishankar’s meeting with Secretary Rubio took place during the ongoing Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit being hosted by Malaysia. The 11-nation ASEAN bloc is considered one of the most influential regional groupings, with dialogue partners including India, the United States, China, Japan, and Australia. On Sunday, Mr. Jaishankar also met Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, and Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow. Discussions during these meetings focused on regional security, trade cooperation, and enhancing connectivity between India and Southeast Asia under the framework of the Act East Policy. Strengthening India’s engagement in Indo-Pacific India’s participation in the ASEAN summit underscores its growing role in the Indo-Pacific region. The meeting with Secretary Rubio further highlights the shared interest of India and the U.S. in ensuring a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, with special emphasis on maritime security, supply chain resilience, and counterterrorism. The engagement also reflects the two countries’ efforts to align their regional strategies through mechanisms such as the Quad (comprising India, the U.S., Japan, and Australia) and various bilateral defence and technology initiatives. Broader diplomatic agenda In addition to discussions with U.S. and ASEAN leaders, Mr. Jaishankar is expected to participate in a series of high-level meetings throughout the summit, focusing on trade, climate change, digital transformation, and regional stability. India’s active diplomatic engagements at the ASEAN forum reaffirm its commitment to multilateralism and collaboration with Southeast Asian nations on global issues.
