'Our Relationship With India Vitally Important': Rubio Meets Jaishankar At ASEAN Summit
'Our Relationship With India Vitally Important': Rubio Meets Jaishankar At ASEAN Summit Published By, Last Updated: July 22, 2026, 16:48 IST The US Secretary of
'Our Relationship With India Vitally Important': Rubio Meets Jaishankar At ASEAN Summit Published By, Last Updated: July 22, 2026, 16:48 IST The US Secretary of State described ties with India as "vitally important" after meeting Jaishankar in Manila, where the two discussed Quad, trade, defence and regional security. Rubio's remarks came after his meeting with Jaishankar on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit, where the two leaders reviewed key pillars of the India-US strategic partnership. (IMAGE: X) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday described Washington’s relationship with India as “vitally important" after meeting External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Manila, saying the two leaders discussed regional security, the Quad, trade and defence cooperation. “Always good to see my friend, Indian External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar on the sidelines of ASEAN.
We discussed regional security issues, the Quad, trade, and defense agreements. Our relationship with India is vitally important," Rubio said in a post on X after the meeting. US envoy to India Sergio Gor also attended the brief meeting. The meeting came ahead of the Quad Foreign Ministers’ discussions and follows Jaishankar’s announcement earlier in the day that the two leaders had held talks focusing on key pillars of the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. In a post on X, Jaishankar had said his discussions with Rubio covered trade and tariffs, energy, defence and security, critical minerals and artificial intelligence, besides an exchange of views on regional, global and multilateral issues of mutual interest. The meeting took place during Jaishankar’s two-day visit to the Philippines, where he is attending meetings under the ASEAN framework and participating in the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting alongside counterparts from the United States, Japan and Australia.
The Quad foreign ministers last met in New Delhi in May, when Rubio visited India. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered What are the key outcomes of the Quad Foreign Ministers' meeting? The Quad Foreign Ministers' meeting resulted in new initiatives on maritime security, infrastructure, and economic resilience. How will this meeting impact India-US trade relations? Discussions between India and the US, including meetings between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, aim to conclude an interim trade agreement that is expected to be beneficial and sustainable for both nations. Could this partnership influence regional security dynamics? Yes, the meeting between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at the ASEAN Summit discussed regional security issues.
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