Kuala Lumpur: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Kuala Lumpur on Monday on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit. The two discussed bilateral relations, trade talks, and regional issues. Jaishankar wrote on X, "Pleased to meet Rubio. Useful conversation on bilateral, regional, and global issues."
Glad to meet @SecRubio this morning in Kuala Lumpur.
Appreciated the discussion on our bilateral ties as well as regional and global issues.
pic.twitter.com/mlrqoyZypB
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 27, 2025Steps towards a trade agreement
5 rounds of talks of the first phase of the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) have been completed. Tariff cuts, removal of spare duty on Russian oil, and a $500 billion trade target were well-set upon. Jaishankar reviewed progress on these issues with Rubio.
Pakistan relations: Respecting India's concerns
"We want to grow our strategic relationship with Pakistan, but not at the expense of our deep, historic relationship with India," Rubio said superiority of the meeting. He appreciated India's diplomatic maturity and clarified that Pakistan's cooperation on counter-terrorism will not stupefy the India-US partnership.
India's worriedness in ASEAN
Jaishankar moreover met Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim, Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, and Thai counterpart Sihasak Phuangketkyo at the ASEAN summit stuff chaired by Malaysia. Joint statement on sustainable tourism unexplored at ASEAN-India summit.
Strong partnership in Indo-Pacific
The meeting focused on the South China Sea dispute, regional stability, and maritime cooperation. There was discussion towards declaring 2026 as the 'Year of Maritime Cooperation.' Both countries well-set to promote a free, open, and rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific.
This dialogue will requite new strength to the India-US strategic partnership.
