Jaishankar, Rubio review trade, defence, AI cooperation at Manila meeting

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday held wide-ranging talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Manila, with discussions spanning trade, tariffs, defence cooperation, energy security, critical minerals and artificial intelligence as the two sides sought to deepen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of high-level engagements linked to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Quad, where both leaders are attending ministerial discussions.

"Our meeting focused on areas which are priority for the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, including trade and tariffs, energy, defence and security, critical minerals and artificial intelligence,” Jaishankar said on social media.

”We also exchanged quick perspectives on regional, global and multilateral issues of mutual interest,” he said.

In a post on social media, Jaishankar said the talks centred on key areas of bilateral cooperation.

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Meanwhile, Sergio Gor, Ambassador of the US to India, described the talks as "a very productive bilateral meeting" in a post on X. He also hinted at a possible visit by Rubio to India later this year, writing: "In fact, Secretary Rubio might be coming back to India later this year... stay tuned." However, neither Washington nor New Delhi has officially confirmed any such visit.