US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed that the India-US relationship is vitally important after meeting External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during ASEAN events in Manila. The leaders discussed trade, defence, Quad cooperation, regional security, and strengthening the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reaffirmed the significance of the India-US relationship, calling it “vitally important” following a high-level bilateral meeting with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) ministerial events in Manila, Philippines.
The meeting reflected the continued commitment of both nations to deepen cooperation across strategic, economic, technological, and security sectors while addressing evolving regional and global challenges.
Following the discussions, Rubio shared his remarks on social media platform X, highlighting the productive nature of the engagement with Jaishankar. He stated that the leaders discussed a broad range of issues, including regional security, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), trade relations, and defence cooperation.
“Our relationship with India is vitally important,” Rubio wrote, emphasizing Washington’s commitment to strengthening ties with New Delhi as both countries continue to expand cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
The bilateral meeting was attended by several senior US officials, including Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, and other members of the American delegation.
US Ambassador Sergio Gor also described the discussions as highly productive and hinted that Secretary Rubio could visit India later this year. In a post on X, Gor noted that further engagement between the two countries is expected, saying, “Secretary Rubio might be coming back to India later this year… stay tuned.”
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also shared details of the meeting, describing it as constructive and focused on strengthening the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. According to Jaishankar, the discussions covered several priority sectors that continue to shape bilateral cooperation.
Among the key issues discussed were trade and tariffs, energy cooperation, defence and security partnerships, critical minerals, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in future economic and technological collaboration. The two leaders also exchanged views on regional developments and major global and multilateral issues of mutual concern.
Jaishankar said the meeting reflected the shared commitment of both countries to expanding cooperation in areas that contribute to long-term strategic stability and economic growth.
The meeting took place alongside the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, where Jaishankar joined US Secretary Marco Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi for discussions on regional security and cooperation.
Following the Quad meeting, the four ministers issued a joint statement reaffirming their collective commitment to maintaining a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region. The statement also emphasized the Quad’s continued support for ASEAN unity and centrality in regional affairs.
The ministers underlined that all four Quad members remain deeply invested in the prosperity, stability, and security of the Indo-Pacific and will continue working closely with ASEAN member states on shared regional priorities.
The joint statement highlighted cooperation in several critical areas, including maritime and transnational security, economic resilience, emerging and critical technologies, humanitarian assistance, disaster response, and sustainable regional development.
The Quad members also reiterated their support for the practical implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), viewing it as an important framework for promoting peace, stability, and inclusive growth across the region.
According to the statement, the Quad remains united in its belief that peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific maritime domain are essential for ensuring the region’s long-term security and economic prosperity.
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The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, commonly known as the Quad, brings together India, the United States, Australia, and Japan. The grouping continues to strengthen cooperation on strategic, economic, technological, and humanitarian initiatives while promoting a resilient, prosperous, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
Rubio’s remarks reaffirming the importance of India-US relations underscore the growing strategic convergence between New Delhi and Washington as both countries continue to enhance cooperation through bilateral engagement, the Quad framework, and wider regional partnerships amid an evolving global geopolitical landscape.
