US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to engage with India and other Quad partners during his upcoming Southeast Asia visit, with the ASEAN Summit serving as the main focus of his diplomatic tour. The visit comes as Washington and Beijing continue preparations for an expected visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the United States in September.

Rubio said the ASEAN Summit remains a key platform for US engagement with the Indo-Pacific region and will provide opportunities for bilateral and regional discussions. He confirmed that meetings with Quad members — India, Australia, Japan and the United States — are planned during the visit, highlighting Washington’s continued focus on regional cooperation.

The US Secretary of State is also expected to participate in a trilateral meeting with South Korea and Japan, while discussions with officials from Vietnam and other regional partners are also possible. Rubio is scheduled to meet the Philippine President as well, marking his first visit to the Philippines since taking charge as Secretary of State.

Also Read: Zohran Mamdani Demands Netanyahu's Arrest During Any New York Visit

Rubio also indicated that a possible meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit remains an option. Responding to questions about potential discussions with Chinese officials, Rubio said sensitive diplomatic matters would not be disclosed publicly ahead of such engagements.

The Secretary of State said preparations for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s expected September visit to the US are continuing, with Chinese teams involved in planning discussions. Rubio said disagreements between Washington and Beijing are likely to continue but stressed the importance of maintaining communication between the two major global powers.

Rubio said continued dialogue between the US and China is necessary despite differences, describing communication as a responsibility shared by influential nations. The Quad, which includes India, the US, Japan and Australia, focuses on areas such as maritime security, critical technologies, infrastructure, health cooperation and disaster relief. ASEAN, a group of 10 Southeast Asian nations, remains a central platform for regional diplomacy, with both India and the US participating in ASEAN-led forums.

Also Read: PM Modi’s Three-Nation Visit Offers Key Lessons For Bangladesh, Says Report