External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday met US secretary of state Marco Rubio in Manila, with the two leaders holding wide-ranging discussions on trade, tariffs, energy, defence, critical minerals, artificial intelligence and regional security.The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) foreign ministers’ meetings and the Quad foreign ministers’ Meeting in the Philippine capital.Sharing details of the meeting on X, Jaishankar said, “Pleased to meet Sec Rubio of the USA here in Manila. Our meeting focused on areas which are a priority for the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, including trade & tariffs, energy, defence & security, critical minerals & artificial intelligence.”“Also exchanged quick perspectives on regional, global and multilateral issues of mutual interest,” he added. The two leaders are also understood to have exchanged views on the ongoing West Asia crisis and its impact on global energy supplies and market stability.Marco Rubio also reaffirmed the Quad’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific and Asean. “Was pleased to reconvene the Quad at the AseanForeign Ministers Meeting to emphasize our message: strong cooperation is vital to supporting ASEAN’s own priority and centrality in the region,” Rubio posted on X.“The United States, India, Australia, and Japan share a vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific that is grounded in the rule of law, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. The Quad remains a priority, and we will meet again later this year,” he added.Jaishankar is on a two-day visit to Manila to participate in a series of ministerial meetings under the Asean framework, including the Asean-India foreign ministers’ Meeting, East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the Asean Regional Forum (ARF).According to the ministry of external affairs, the visit reflects India’s continued engagement with Asean under its Act East Policy and its commitment to strengthening the Asean-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Discussions at the Quad meeting are expected to focus on regional security, maritime cooperation, emerging technologies and developments in the Indo-Pacific.
