A significant bilateral meeting took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, between India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The high-level dialogue, occurring on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit, underscored the ongoing efforts to strengthen the India-US strategic partnership and address shared international concerns. Minister Jaishankar shared a positive update on social media, highlighting the productive exchange on bilateral ties and pressing global and regional issues.
This meeting addressed diplomatic nuances surrounding US relations with Pakistan. Secretary Rubio had previously reassured that the US’s growing strategic engagement with Pakistan does not jeopardize its “deep, historic, and important” relationship with India. He affirmed that interactions with Islamabad are distinct from and do not compromise the US’s commitment to New Delhi.
Rubio further explained the US’s global engagement philosophy, noting that cultivating relationships with a variety of nations is essential. He presented the expansion of the US strategic relationship with Pakistan as an effort to identify and pursue common interests. The Secretary also acknowledged and praised India’s sophisticated diplomatic capabilities, recognizing its ability to manage diverse international relationships with pragmatism and maturity.
Simultaneously, the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit saw India and ASEAN leaders reinforcing their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a virtual address, emphasized key areas for future collaboration, including counter-terrorism efforts, maritime security, and the efficient review of the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement. He stressed the critical necessity of global unity in the face of terrorism.