India’s external affairs minister S Jaishankar met US secretary of state Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Malaysia, amid growing friction between New Delhi and Washington. The meeting took place against the backdrop of rising trade tensions, high import duties, and renewed concerns following the recent Pakistan conflict. Ahead of the talks, Rubio emphasized that Washington’s cooperation with Islamabad would not come at India’s cost. But questions remain on whether his reassurance is enough to restore trust between the two countries. Palki Sharma explains the significance of this meeting and what it means for the future of India US relations.