US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to meet representatives from India and other Quad nations during his upcoming Southeast Asia visit, highlighting Washington’s continued focus on regional partnerships and strategic cooperation. The visit will center around the ASEAN Summit, which Rubio described as a key platform for US engagement in the region.
Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews, Rubio said the summit would provide an opportunity for discussions with regional partners, including members of the Quad grouping comprising India, the United States, Japan, and Australia. He also confirmed plans for additional meetings with regional allies, including a trilateral discussion involving South Korea and Japan.
During the visit, Rubio is expected to engage with officials from several Southeast Asian countries. His schedule may include a meeting with Vietnam’s foreign minister and other regional leaders. He is also expected to visit the Philippines and hold talks with its president, marking his first trip to the country since taking charge as US Secretary of State.
Rubio also indicated that a possible meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during the ASEAN gathering remains under consideration. While no final decision has been made, he said Washington would remain open to diplomatic discussions with Beijing.
The Secretary of State also addressed the expected visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to the United States in September. Rubio said preparations for the visit are continuing and that Chinese officials have been working with American counterparts to arrange the meeting. He added that he had no information suggesting any changes to the planned visit.
Despite ongoing disagreements between Washington and Beijing, Rubio emphasized the importance of maintaining communication between the two global powers. He said differences are expected between major countries but stressed that continued dialogue is necessary for stability and cooperation.
The Quad partnership between India, the US, Japan, and Australia focuses on areas including maritime security, advanced technologies, infrastructure development, healthcare, and disaster response. The group’s cooperation has expanded significantly since its revival in 2017.
ASEAN, which includes 10 Southeast Asian nations, remains a central platform for regional diplomacy. Both India and the United States participate in ASEAN-led forums, including the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Regional Forum, strengthening their engagement across the Indo-Pacific region.
