Rubio, Jaishankar hold talks in Malaysia amid ongoing US-India trade frictions
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Malaysia on Monday to discuss bilateral relations and ongoing trade tensions.
The meeting — held on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur — marked the highest-level engagement between the two nations since the US imposed sanctions last week on several Russian oil firms, a move that has complicated India’s crude imports.
While both sides refrained from disclosing specifics, diplomatic sources said discussions focused on tariff disputes, energy security, defense cooperation, and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific. They also reportedly explored ways to expand joint investments in semiconductors, green technology, and critical minerals.
Jaishankar later posted a photograph of the meeting on social media, saying he “appreciated the discussion on our bilateral ties as well as regional and global issues,” describing the exchange as “constructive and forward-looking.”
The talks came as President Donald Trump departed Malaysia after attending the ASEAN Summit in person, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had initially planned to attend, addressed the event virtually citing Deepavali celebrations at home.
Relations between Washington and New Delhi soured in August, when Trump raised tariffs on Indian exports to 50%, citing unfair trade practices and India’s continued purchase of discounted Russian oil — a critical energy source for the South Asian nation.
Despite the tensions, both sides have maintained dialogue through multiple diplomatic channels. US officials have acknowledged India’s strategic role in balancing power in the Indo-Pacific, while Indian officials stress the importance of “mutual respect and realistic engagement” in navigating differences.
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