By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – India External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Kuala Lumpur and both leaders discussed bilateral ties as well as regional and global issues, according to a press release issued by the MEA.
The high-level meeting between the two leaders holds significance as it came at a time when trade negotiations between India and the US are ongoing.
It added diplomatic weight to the broader economic dialogue between the two countries.
Jaishankar said in a post shared on X, “Glad to meet @SecRubio this morning in Kuala Lumpur. Appreciated the discussion on our bilateral ties as well as regional and global issues.”
Union Minister Piyush Goyal had said earlier “We are in dialogue with the United States of America. Our teams are engaged. We recently had the commerce secretary visit the US, and he met with his counterparts. We continue to engage with them, and talks are progressing. We hope to work towards a fair and equitable agreement in the near future.”
Ministry of External Affairs’ Secretary (East) P Kumaran met US Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, S Paul Kapur, in Kuala Lumpur as both sides exchanged views on India-US relations.
Kumaran congratulated Kapur on his appointment as US Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs.
Jaishankar also met with Japanese counterpart Motegi Toshimitsu on the sidelines of ASEAN Summit as both discussed expanding bilateral ties and agreed to work closely to implement the joint vision for the next decade of India-Japan cooperation.
EAM in a post on X wrote, “Delighted to meet FM Motegi Toshimitsu of Japan. Held wide-ranging discussions on our bilateral ties. Agreed to work closely to implement the joint vision for the next decade of our cooperation. Also exchanged perspectives on the global situation and our Indo Pacific cooperation. Our conversation reflected the strength and warmth of our Special Strategic and Global Partnership.”
Jaishankar also met Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the sidelines of 20th East Asia Summit in Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur.
In a post on X, EAM Jaishankar wrote, “Nice to meet PM Anthony Albanese of Australia on the sidelines of 20th East Asia Summit.”
He met with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit 2025 in Malaysia.
Jaishankar in a post on X, said, “A pleasure meeting PM @chrisluxonmp of New Zealand on the sidelines of #ASEAN2025 meetings. Extended warm greetings from PM @narendramodi.”
He added, “Welcome his commitment to advance our bilateral cooperation and nurture a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
Jaishankar and Luxon are attending the EAS alongside the Association of Southeast Asian Nations member countries and partners.
There will be commemorations for 50 years of ASEAN-New Zealand relations. New Zealand will also finalize a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN itself.
