Manila, Philippines, July 22 (ANI): U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held talks in Manila on Wednesday, focusing on recent developments in West Asia and the Indo-Pacific while reviewing progress on key defense initiatives and agreeing on the urgency of finalizing an interim bilateral trade agreement.
According to a U.S. State Department readout attributed to spokesperson Tommy Pigott, the two leaders discussed advancing bilateral commitments made during talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year.
“The Secretary and Minister Jaishankar discussed recent developments in the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific,” the readout said.
The discussions also focused on defense cooperation, with both sides reviewing progress on agreements stemming from the Trump-Modi commitments.
“The Secretary and Minister Jaishankar discussed finalizing key defense agreements in fulfillment of commitments made between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi last year,” the statement said.
Trade was another key area of discussion, with Rubio and Jaishankar emphasizing the importance of concluding an interim bilateral trade agreement.
“The Secretary and Minister Jaishankar agreed on the importance of finalizing the interim trade deal, which is almost complete,” the readout added.
Jaishankar also shared details of the meeting in a post on X, saying the discussions centered on key priorities under the India-U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.
“Pleased to meet Sec Rubio of the USA here in Manila. Our meeting focused on areas which are priority for the India-U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, including trade & tariffs, energy, defence & security, critical minerals & artificial intelligence.”
The two leaders also exchanged views on regional, global, and multilateral issues of mutual interest.
“Also exchanged quick perspectives on regional, global and multilateral issues of mutual interest,” Jaishankar said.
The meeting took place as the Quad countries—India, the United States, Australia, and Japan—held discussions in Manila on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meetings.
Jaishankar is in Manila for a two-day visit to participate in several foreign minister-level meetings under the ASEAN framework, including the ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) meetings.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the visit reflects the country’s continued engagement with ASEAN under its Act East Policy and its commitment to strengthening the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting focused on regional security, maritime cooperation, emerging technologies, and developments in the Indo-Pacific.
On the proposed India-U.S. trade agreement, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal said on July 13 that India sees no obstacles to concluding a deal with the United States and that both sides are prepared to sign once the timing is appropriate.
Briefing reporters on June 2026 trade data, Agarwal said, “We don’t see any challenge on India-U.S. trade deal negotiations.”
He added that discussions are progressing within an agreed framework and that engagement between the two countries has remained consistent.
“Indian team visited the U.S. in May. U.S. team visited in June.”
“Talks are going on in a proper framework,” he said.
Commenting on the broader trade environment, Agarwal noted that IEEPA tariffs had been withdrawn and said the United States is continuing discussions with other countries while conducting parallel investigations.
“We have joined consultations. All progressing in the right directions,” he said.
Both governments have maintained an optimistic public stance regarding the negotiations.
“Both sides are saying things are good,” Agarwal said, adding that the key takeaway was the steady progress toward concluding the agreement. (ANI)
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