US Secretary Of State Marco Rubio Highlights Importance Of India Ties
Rubio stresses importance of strategic ties between US and India.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday described the United States’ relationship with India as “vitally important” after holding a bilateral meeting with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on the sidelines of the ongoing ASEAN-related meetings in Manila. The discussions focused on regional security, trade, defence cooperation and other key areas of the India-US strategic partnership.
Rubio said the meeting with Jaishankar was an opportunity to discuss several issues of mutual interest, including regional security concerns, the Quad grouping, trade matters and defence agreements. “Our relationship with India is vitally important,” Rubio said in a post on X after the meeting, highlighting the significance Washington attaches to its partnership with New Delhi.
The meeting was attended by senior US officials, including Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker and US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor. Gor described the talks as “productive” and suggested that Rubio may visit India later this year, indicating continued high-level engagement between the two countries.
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Jaishankar said the discussions reviewed priority areas under the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. He said the talks covered trade and tariffs, energy cooperation, defence and security, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, and broader regional and global issues of shared interest.
The two leaders also participated in the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting along with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi. In a joint statement, the Quad members reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific and expressed support for ASEAN unity and centrality.
The Quad ministers discussed regional challenges and ways to strengthen cooperation in areas including maritime security, economic prosperity, critical and emerging technologies, and humanitarian assistance. The grouping reiterated that peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific maritime region remain essential for the security and prosperity of the wider region.
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