Jaishankar meets Sri Lanka, Bangladesh FMs and EU's Kallas at ASEAN Forum in Manila
Synopsis
India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar turned Manila into a diplomatic sprint — meeting Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the EU's Kaja Kallas, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in back-to-back sessions at the ASEAN Regional Forum. With an India-US trade deal described as 'almost complete,' the Manila engagements may prove to be a pivotal moment for India's foreign policy calendar.
Key Takeaways
Jaishankar held bilateral talks with Sri Lankan FM Vijitha Herath and Bangladeshi FM Khalilur Rahman at the ARF in Manila on 23 July .
Jaishankar also met EU High Representative Kaja Kallas , reinforcing India-EU diplomatic engagement.
A day earlier, Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio ; both sides agreed to accelerate defence agreements and finalise an interim trade deal Washington called 'almost complete'.
The two leaders also reviewed developments in the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific , per a US State Department readout.
The Manila meetings reflect India's high-density multilateral diplomacy across neighbourhood, major powers, and global blocs.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar conducted a series of high-level bilateral engagements on Thursday, 23 July on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Manila, holding talks with counterparts from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh as well as the European Union's top foreign policy official.
South Asian Meetings
Jaishankar met Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath and Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman on the sidelines of the regional forum. In a post on X, Jaishankar confirmed the interactions, writing: 'Glad to meet FM Vijitha Herath of Sri Lanka and FM Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh during the ARF meeting.' The meetings reflect India's sustained diplomatic outreach to its immediate neighbourhood amid evolving regional dynamics.
Talks with EU's Kaja Kallas
Jaishankar also held talks with Kaja Kallas, the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission. Confirming the meeting on X, Jaishankar said: 'Good to catch up with EU HRVP Kaja Kallas.' The engagement signals continued India-EU diplomatic momentum at a time when both sides are deepening ties on trade, technology, and strategic affairs.
Jaishankar-Rubio Meeting a Day Earlier
The Manila engagements follow a significant bilateral meeting on Wednesday, 22 July, when Jaishankar sat down with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' meetings. The two leaders agreed to accelerate work on key defence agreements and push toward concluding an interim bilateral trade deal that Washington described as 'almost complete,' signalling fresh momentum in the India-US strategic partnership.
According to a US State Department readout, the two sides reviewed recent developments in the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific, and assessed progress on defence cooperation. State Department Spokesperson Tommy Pigott confirmed the meeting in an official statement.
Significance of the Manila Diplomacy
The back-to-back engagements in Manila underscore India's active multilateral posture at a critical juncture in global geopolitics. The ARF, which brings together ASEAN members and dialogue partners, provides a rare platform for India to conduct high-density diplomacy across its neighbourhood, major powers, and multilateral blocs in a compressed timeframe. This comes amid heightened Indo-Pacific tensions and ongoing efforts to advance India's trade and defence agenda on multiple fronts simultaneously.
Point of View
Bangladesh, the EU, and the US in two days — is not routine sideline diplomacy; it is a deliberate signal of India's capacity to run parallel tracks simultaneously. The 'almost complete' framing on the India-US interim trade deal is notable: Washington has used that language before without delivery, and the timeline will be the real test. Meanwhile, the back-to-back meetings with Dhaka and Colombo suggest New Delhi is actively managing its South Asian periphery at a moment when both relationships carry unresolved tensions. The EU meeting with Kallas adds a third axis — and India-EU trade talks have their own long-stalled history that one sideline chat will not resolve.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did EAM Jaishankar meet at the ASEAN Regional Forum in Manila?
Jaishankar met Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, and EU High Representative Kaja Kallas on 23 July at the ASEAN Regional Forum in Manila. A day earlier, he also met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' meetings.
What was discussed in the Jaishankar-Rubio meeting in Manila?
Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio agreed to accelerate work on key defence agreements and move toward concluding an interim bilateral trade deal that Washington described as 'almost complete.' They also reviewed developments in the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific, according to a US State Department readout.
What is the ASEAN Regional Forum and why is it significant for India?
The ASEAN Regional Forum is a multilateral security dialogue platform involving ASEAN member states and their dialogue partners, including India, the US, and the EU. It provides India a concentrated venue to conduct high-level bilateral diplomacy with multiple partners in a short timeframe, making it a key fixture in India's foreign policy calendar.
What did Jaishankar say about his meetings on X?
Jaishankar confirmed his meetings via posts on X. He wrote 'Glad to meet FM Vijitha Herath of Sri Lanka and FM Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh during the ARF meeting' and separately noted 'Good to catch up with EU HRVP Kaja Kallas.'
What is the status of the India-US trade deal?
As of the Manila meetings on 22 July, Washington described the interim India-US bilateral trade deal as 'almost complete.' Both sides agreed to accelerate efforts to conclude the agreement, though no signing date has been announced.
