KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 – Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday on the sidelines of the 15th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
“Delighted to meet US Secretary of State @secrubio on the sidelines of the 15th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting,” Margherita posted on X following the interaction.
During his visit for the ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (FMM), Margherita held a series of high-level bilateral discussions. He met Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn to discuss wide-ranging ties including heritage conservation and development cooperation. He also thanked Cambodia for its continued support in India’s fight against terrorism.
On Thursday, Margherita met ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn and appreciated his efforts in advancing the India-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. He also held bilateral meetings with Vietnam’s Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Sugiono, exploring ways to deepen ties.
In another significant engagement, the Minister met Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Theresa P. Lazaro. Both sides acknowledged the enduring India-Philippines friendship and marked 75 years of diplomatic ties. Margherita expressed gratitude for the Philippines’ support in counter-terrorism cooperation.
Margherita co-chaired the ASEAN-India FMM with Theresa Lazaro, where the new ASEAN-India Plan of Action for 2026–2030 was adopted. The plan aims to expand strategic cooperation and enhance connectivity across various sectors.
“As we celebrate ASEAN-India Year of Tourism, we discussed ways to boost people-to-people exchanges,” Margherita said on X.
The MoS arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday at the invitation of Malaysia, the current ASEAN Chair, to represent India at the ASEAN-India FMM.
