Jaishankar and Rubio Meet in Kuala Lumpur Amid India-US Trade Talks
Jaishankar and Rubio Meet in Kuala Lumpur Amid India-US Trade Talks
Jaishankar and Rubio met on the ASEAN sidelines in Kuala Lumpur to discuss India-US ties and ongoing trade talks, signaling cautious but positive momentum.
In Kuala Lumpur on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss the state of India-U.S. relations and broader regional issues. The talks centered on bilateral ties and the ongoing trade negotiations between the two countries, with both sides signaling a preference for a long-term, trust-based partnership over quick, one-off deals.
Jaishankar stressed India's measured approach to trade, echoing Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal's stance that New Delhi will not rush into agreements or accept conditions that limit its trading options. The conversation comes as India and the United States push for a Bilateral Trade Agreement, with multiple rounds already completed and officials suggesting convergence on many core issues.
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said in New Delhi that the talks are progressing well and moving toward a mutually beneficial outcome, hinting that a landmark agreement could be within reach.
The meeting underscores the broader diplomacy taking place during the ASEAN gathering, as India seeks to deepen strategic and economic ties with the United States while balancing regional interests in Southeast Asia.
Cover image source: Jaishankar, Marco Rubio meet in Malaysia; discuss ‘bilateral ties’ amid trade talks 🔗
