External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Kuala Lumpur on Monday to discuss repairing the strained relations between India and the United States. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the annual ASEAN summit, where leaders and diplomats from across the Indo-Pacific gathered to deliberate on regional and global challenges. The discussion focused on finding ways to ease trade tensions and strengthen diplomatic cooperation after recent friction over Washington’s tariff measures.
Relations between New Delhi and Washington have been tense since the United States, under President Donald Trump’s administration, imposed 50 percent tariffs on Indian goods, followed by an additional 25 percent levy on India’s purchases of Russian crude oil. India has sharply criticised these actions, calling them “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable,” arguing that they disregard the principles of equitable trade and long-standing strategic cooperation. Jaishankar’s engagement with Rubio was aimed at addressing these concerns and setting a constructive tone for future dialogue.
According to officials, both ministers reviewed progress on the ongoing negotiations for a bilateral trade pact, which is now in its final stages. Five rounds of talks have already been completed, and sources indicated that the agreement is “very near” to conclusion. The deal, once finalised, is expected to lower trade barriers, promote investment, and provide a stable framework for economic cooperation between the two democracies. The discussions also touched upon regional stability, maritime security in the Indo-Pacific, and cooperation within multilateral forums.
Jaishankar’s meeting with Rubio was part of a broader diplomatic engagement in Kuala Lumpur. On Sunday, he met Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, and Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow to discuss economic collaboration and regional connectivity. These meetings underscored India’s commitment to deepening its ties with Southeast Asia under the “Act East” policy and enhancing cooperation with ASEAN member states.
The ASEAN summit, hosted by Malaysia as the current chair of the bloc, is one of the most influential gatherings in the Asia-Pacific region. It brings together 11 member nations and dialogue partners, including India, the United States, China, Japan, and Australia. Against this backdrop, the Jaishankar-Rubio meeting is viewed as an important step toward rebuilding trust and reaffirming the strategic partnership between India and the US amid evolving geopolitical and economic challenges.
