India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Kuala Lumpur on Monday (October 27, 2025), where the two leaders held discussions on strengthening bilateral relations and addressing key regional and global challenges.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the ongoing Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit hosted by Malaysia.
What is the background to the talks?
“Glad to meet @SecRubio this morning in Kuala Lumpur. Appreciated the discussion on our bilateral ties as well as regional and global issues,” Jaishankar wrote on X (formerly Twitter), following their interaction.
The talks came at a crucial time as India and the United States are in the final stages of negotiating a bilateral trade agreement aimed at deepening economic cooperation between the two countries.
According to official sources, the much-anticipated deal is “very near” to conclusion, with five rounds of talks already completed under the first phase of discussions.
How have India-US ties grown in recent times?
Both New Delhi and Washington have been keen to expand collaboration across areas such as critical technologies, defence, supply chain resilience, and clean energy, while also addressing issues related to tariffs and market access.
The proposed trade pact is expected to boost investments and facilitate greater cooperation in emerging sectors like semiconductors and renewable energy.
Who else did Jaishankar meet?
In addition to his meeting with Secretary Rubio, Jaishankar also held separate discussions with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, and Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow on Sunday (October 26, 2025).
The ASEAN summit, hosted by Malaysia as the current chair, brings together leaders from the 11-member regional bloc along with dialogue partners including India, the US, China, Japan, and Australia.
The meetings aim to strengthen regional cooperation amid evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific.