Kuala Lumpur: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit to discuss bilateral ties and regional and global issues.

The meeting came in the backdrop of  the proposed bilateral trade deal between India and the US, which, according to an official, is "very near" to concluding.

"Glad to meet @SecRubio this morning in Kuala Lumpur. Appreciated the discussion on our bilateral ties as well as regional and global issues," Jaishankar said in a tweet.

So far, five rounds of talks have been completed for the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement between the US and India.

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The 11-nation ASEAN is considered one of the most influential blocs in the region, with India and several other countries, including the US, China, Japan and Australia, being its dialogue partners.

Malaysia is hosting the annual ASEAN summit and related meetings in Kuala Lumpur in its capacity as the current chair of the grouping.

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(With PTI inputs)

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