EAM Jaishankar meets Marco Rubio, Penny Wong in Manila; discusses global developments
Manila, July 22
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday held talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Manila, reviewing key priority areas under the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, while also exchanging views on regional, global and multilateral issues of shared interest.
Following the meeting, the EAM took to X and said, "Pleased to meet Secretary Marco Rubio of the USA here in Manila. Our meeting focused on areas which are priority for the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, including trade & tariffs, energy, defence & security, critical minerals & artificial intelligence. We also exchanged quick perspectives on regional, global and multilateral issues of mutual interest."
EAM Jaishankar also met Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, reviewing the outcomes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Australia.
"Great to catch up with FM Senator Penny Wong of Australia. Followed up on the outcomes of PM Narendra Modi's recent visit to Australia," the EAM posted on X.
Prime Minister Modi visited Australia from July 8 to 10 for the Australia-India Annual Leaders' Summit in Melbourne. During this visit, the Prime Minister and his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese, signed 18 key agreements, including a defence pact and a civilian nuclear deal for uranium supply.
Earlier in the day, the EAM met his Philippines counterpart Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro in Manila, where both leaders discussed ways to advance the Strategic Partnership between the two countries and reviewed recent developments in the Indo-Pacific.
Sharing the details of the meeting on his social media platform X, EAM Jaishankar said, "A pleasure to meet FM Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro of Philippines today in Manila. A good discussion on further strengthening our Strategic Partnership, focusing on trade & investment, education, defence & security, maritime cooperation, capacity building, and development cooperation."
"Also discussed recent developments in the Indo-Pacific," he added.
Following the meeting, Lazaro took to X and said the two leaders held a "productive discussion" on the Philippines-India Strategic Partnership, reaffirming their commitment to the "continued strengthening of various areas of cooperation, including financial technology, trade and investment, higher education, pharmaceuticals, defence, maritime security, and critical infrastructure".
This meeting comes against the backdrop of a recent confrontation between the Philippines and China in the Indo-Pacific.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Wonderful diplomatic outreach! The fact that our EAM is discussing everything from defence to AI shows India's growing stature. But I'm a little concerned about the timing—right after the Philippines-China face-off. Are we getting dragged into someone else's quarrel? We need to be careful not to become a front-line state in anyone's proxy war. Just my two paise.
As an American, I'm encouraged by the India-US partnership deepening under Jaishankar and Rubio. Trade and tariffs need urgent resolution, and defence cooperation is vital for Indo-Pacific stability. But I hope both sides remember that true partnership means mutual respect, not just transactional deals. Looking forward to more substance in follow-ups.
Nice to see Jaishankar coordinating with both US and Australia—this Quad diplomacy is bearing fruit. The 18 agreements with Australia, including defence and civilian nuclear, are a big step. But I worry about over-dependence on Western partners. What about our ties with Russia or Southeast Asia? India should be a bridge, not just a bloc member. Balance is key! 🌏
Impressive meeting lineup for EAM Jaishankar—Rubio, Wong, and Lazaro all in one day. The focus on critical minerals and AI is forward-thinking. However, I noticed the article didn't mention anything on human rights or democratic values in these partnerships. As a global leader, India should also promote these aspects, not just strategic interests. Just an observation.
This is excellent news for India's foreign policy! Jaishankar is proving to
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