(MENAFN- KNN India) New Delhi, Oct 27 (KNN) External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, discussing bilateral relations along with regional and global developments.

The meeting took place amid ongoing trade negotiations between India and the United States. According to officials, the proposed bilateral trade deal between the two countries is nearing conclusion, following five completed rounds of talks under the first phase of the agreement, PTI reported.

“Glad to meet @SecRubio this morning in Kuala Lumpur. Appreciated the discussion on our bilateral ties as well as regional and global issues,” Jaishankar said in a post on X.

Jaishankar also held a series of bilateral meetings with leaders from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and the Republic of Korea during the summit.

On Sunday, he met Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.“Valued his thoughts on strengthening our bilateral cooperation and people-to-people linkages,” Jaishankar noted in his social media post.

In separate meetings, the minister conferred with Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun.

Discussions focused on deepening cooperation in sectors such as automotive, electronics, semiconductors, defence, and shipbuilding, as well as enhancing strategic and regional partnerships.

The annual ASEAN Summit, hosted this year by Malaysia in its capacity as chair of the grouping, brings together leaders from the 11-member bloc and dialogue partners including India, the United States, China, Japan, and Australia.

(KNN Bureau)

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