External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Manila on Wednesday to discuss the proposed India-US trade deal, tariffs and other key bilateral issues. According to reports from ANI, the meeting was held on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and Quad foreign ministers' meetings. After the discussion, Jaishankar said their conversation focused on areas which are priority for the India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership, including trade and tariffs, energy, defence and security, critical minerals and artificial intelligence. As per ANI, the two leaders also exchanged views on regional, global and multilateral issues of mutual interest, including the West Asia crisis and its global energy impact. The meeting took place as the Quad grouping of India, the United States, Australia and Japan held discussions in Manila on the sidelines of ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting.
Rubio and Jaishankar agreed on the importance of concluding the interim trade deal, which is almost complete, as reported by ANI. However, the urgency has intensified following President Donald Trump's threatened pharmaceutical tariffs on imported medicines, which could significantly impact India's pharmaceutical exports. US State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott confirmed that they discussed finalising key defence agreements in fulfilment of commitments made between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi last year. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal provided additional context on July 13, stating that India sees no hurdles in concluding a trade agreement with the United States and both sides are ready to sign once the timing is right. Agarwal noted that discussions are moving forward within an agreed structure, with Indian and US teams visiting each other in May and June respectively, and talks proceeding in a proper framework.
During their meeting, Rubio and Jaishankar discussed key defence agreements as part of the broader India-US strategic partnership. According to a US statement after their meeting, they aim to deliver on commitments made by Trump and Modi last year, including 'expand defense trade and co-production' including anti-tank missiles, infantry combat vehicles and surveillance aircraft. While India has moved ahead in processing the purchase of additional surveillance aircraft, progress in other projects has slowed. The defence cooperation reflects the broader strategic partnership between the two nations, with both countries committed to strengthening their military ties and technological collaboration.
Speaking at the ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers' meeting on Wednesday, Jaishankar emphasized the importance of strengthening ties with Southeast Asian nations to help build more resilient supply chains. He stated that an increasingly uncertain global environment can't be managed by any one entity, calling for closer cooperation between India and the 10-member Southeast Asian bloc. As reported by Moneycontrol, Jaishankar noted that the most visible strains from the current period of volatility and disruption were on supply chains, and 'energy, food and health security could no longer be taken for granted'. As India and ASEAN are dependent on maritime trade, adherence to international law is critical to ensuring sea lanes remain secure and open.
Jaishankar's visit to Manila for a two-day visit to participate in Foreign Minister-level meetings under the ASEAN framework reflects India's commitment to the Act East Policy and strengthening the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. According to latest reports, the External Affairs Minister also held talks with Philippines Foreign Secretary Ma Theresa P. Lazaro to expand the India-Philippines Strategic Partnership, and met Australian FM Senator Penny Wong to follow up on recent outcomes. These engagements demonstrate India's active diplomatic outreach across multiple regional partnerships while advancing the India-US strategic relationship through the Quad framework.
