External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has held talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the Philippine capital, focusing on strengthening bilateral ties amid ongoing global challenges. The meeting took place on the sidelines of ASEAN-related ministerial gatherings in Manila, where both top diplomats are attending high-level discussions involving Southeast Asian nations and the Quad grouping of India, the US, Japan and Australia.&nbsp;In a post on X, Jaishankar described the discussions as centred on priority areas within the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. These included trade and tariffs, energy, defence and security, critical minerals and artificial intelligence. The two sides also exchanged views on regional, global and multilateral issues of mutual interest.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amnesty-international-accuses-pakistan-of-possible-war-crimes-over-strike-on-afghan-rehab-centre-1784696756316">269 killed, no military target? Amnesty International accuses Pakistan of war crimes for THIS reason</a>&nbsp;Relations between New Delhi and Washington have faced recent strains over trade. Last year, the US imposed tariffs on Indian goods, partly linked to India's purchases of Russian oil. Officials from both countries have now been working towards an interim trade agreement to address these issues and expand market access.&nbsp;The two leaders have met several times in recent months, including in New Delhi, reflecting sustained high-level engagement despite differences on issues such as tariffs and energy imports. The India-US partnership has deepened significantly over the past 2 decades, spanning defence sales, technology collaboration and people-to-people ties. Trade volumes have grown, though imbalances and tariff barriers remain points of negotiation. &nbsp;

Relations between New Delhi and Washington have faced recent strains over trade. Last year, the US imposed tariffs on Indian goods, partly linked to India's purchases of Russian oil.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has held talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the Philippine capital, focusing on strengthening bilateral ties amid ongoing global challenges. The meeting took place on the sidelines of ASEAN-related ministerial gatherings in Manila, where both top diplomats are attending high-level discussions involving Southeast Asian nations and the Quad grouping of India, the US, Japan and Australia. In a post on X, Jaishankar described the discussions as centred on priority areas within the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. These included trade and tariffs, energy, defence and security, critical minerals and artificial intelligence. The two sides also exchanged views on regional, global and multilateral issues of mutual interest. Also read: 269 killed, no military target? Amnesty International accuses Pakistan of war crimes for THIS reason Relations between New Delhi and Washington have faced recent strains over trade. Last year, the US imposed tariffs on Indian goods, partly linked to India's purchases of Russian oil. Officials from both countries have now been working towards an interim trade agreement to address these issues and expand market access. The two leaders have met several times in recent months, including in New Delhi, reflecting sustained high-level engagement despite differences on issues such as tariffs and energy imports. The India-US partnership has deepened significantly over the past 2 decades, spanning defence sales, technology collaboration and people-to-people ties. Trade volumes have grown, though imbalances and tariff barriers remain points of negotiation.

Relations between New Delhi and Washington have faced recent strains over trade. Last year, the US imposed tariffs on Indian goods, partly linked to India's purchases of Russian oil.

India, US discuss trade, security in Manila meeting

The world must rethink its approach to solving the crisis in junta-ruled Myanmar because it was not working, a United Nations expert said Wednesday.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since a February 2021 coup that ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, with more than 3,600 civilians killed in the military's crackdown on dissent, according to a monitoring group.

Efforts by the 10-member Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) bloc, which includes Myanmar, to defuse the crisis have faltered and no progress has been made on a five-point peace plan agreed on two years ago.

Tom Andrews, a UN special rapporteur on the situation in Myanmar, called for a new course of action and leadership from its fellow ASEAN members.

"I believe that the crisis in Myanmar has reached an important inflexion point and that it is time the international community reassesses its approach to the crisis," he told a press conference in the Indonesian capital Jakarta.

He said the current action by the international community and regional bloc ASEAN was "simply not working" to end the crisis.

"A change of course is imperative," he said.

"This change will require vision and leadership, and I believe that Indonesia is positioned to provide that leadership."

ASEAN has become divided over the Myanmar issue, with Thailand defending talks with the junta after inviting its foreign minister Than Shwe to an informal meeting on Monday.

Indonesia and Malaysia – among the junta's harshest critics within the regional bloc – snubbed the meeting.

Myanmar's generals have been barred from high-level ASEAN meetings and Bangkok drew criticism from Singapore over Monday's talks, which warned it was premature to engage the junta at such a high level.

The United Nations says more than one million people have been displaced by violence since the coup.

Fighting between the army and rebel groups in Myanmar has periodically sent thousands of people fleeing across the border into Thailand.

ASEAN's last leaders' summit, held in May, ended without any significant progress.

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The world must rethink its approach to solving the crisis in junta-ruled Myanmar because it was not working, a United Nations expert said Wednesday. Myanmar has been in turmoil since a February 2021 coup that ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, with more than 3,600 civilians killed in the military's crackdown on dissent, according to a monitoring group.

The world must rethink its approach to solving the crisis in junta-ruled Myanmar because it was not working, a United Nations expert said Wednesday. Myanmar has been in turmoil since a February 2021 coup that ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, with more than 3,600 civilians killed in the military's crackdown on dissent, according to a monitoring group. Efforts by the 10-member Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) bloc, which includes Myanmar, to defuse the crisis have faltered and no progress has been made on a five-point peace plan agreed on two years ago. Tom Andrews, a UN special rapporteur on the situation in Myanmar, called for a new course of action and leadership from its fellow ASEAN members. "I believe that the crisis in Myanmar has reached an important inflexion point and that it is time the international community reassesses its approach to the crisis," he told a press conference in the Indonesian capital Jakarta. He said the current action by the international community and regional bloc ASEAN was "simply not working" to end the crisis. "A change of course is imperative," he said. "This change will require vision and leadership, and I believe that Indonesia is positioned to provide that leadership." ASEAN has become divided over the Myanmar issue, with Thailand defending talks with the junta after inviting its foreign minister Than Shwe to an informal meeting on Monday. Indonesia and Malaysia – among the junta's harshest critics within the regional bloc – snubbed the meeting. Myanmar's generals have been barred from high-level ASEAN meetings and Bangkok drew criticism from Singapore over Monday's talks, which warned it was premature to engage the junta at such a high level. The United Nations says more than one million people have been displaced by violence since the coup. Fighting between the army and rebel groups in Myanmar has periodically sent thousands of people fleeing across the border into Thailand. ASEAN's last leaders' summit, held in May, ended without any significant progress. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

UN expert calls for new approach to Myanmar crisis

US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross insisted Monday that his country remained "extremely engaged" with Asia despite Donald Trump skipping a regional leaders summit.

Ross and US national security advisor Robert O'Brien are the most senior members of the Washington delegation in Bangkok for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting, also attended by Indian, South Korean and Japanese leaders.&nbsp;

Previous meetings have been attended by the president or vice president.

Trump is accused of retreating from the region after pulling out of a major Asia-Pacific trade pact almost immediately after taking office.&nbsp;

But Ross pushed back against criticism that America has turned its back on Asian allies.

"The Trump administration is extremely engaged in and fully committed to this region," he said at a business forum on the sidelines of the ASEAN meeting Monday.&nbsp;

"We continue to negotiate trade deals with countries in this region."

At the US-ASEAN meeting later in the day, O'Brien addressed several Southeast Asian foreign ministers after some leaders failed to turn up.&nbsp;

Only the leaders of Thailand, Vietnam and Laos were in attendance, a departure from earlier ASEAN meetings over the weekend that heads-of-state were present for.&nbsp;

Trade disputes

Trump has railed against countries in Asia for building massive trade surpluses with the US and has vowed to pursue bilateral deals in the region in favour of sprawling pacts.

He signed a free trade agreement with Japan earlier this year and also renegotiated the terms of a trade deal with South Korea. &nbsp;

Soon after he took office Trump pulled out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) -- which would have been the world's biggest free-trade pact -- calling the deal a "job killer". &nbsp;

It has since been reborn as a watered-down deal without the US, and another China-backed trade pact is now set to be the world's largest when it is signed.&nbsp;

The 16-nation Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which could be finalised next year, includes 30 per cent of global GDP and half of the world's people.

It includes all 10 ASEAN states plus China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand -- notably excluding the US.

Washington remains locked in its bruising trade war with China, with both slides slapping tit-for-tat tariffs on billions of dollars worth of goods.&nbsp;

Ross said an agreement to row back some of those tariffs was "very far along".

Trump has said the deal could be soon signed with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, possibly in the US state of Iowa.&nbsp;

Trump attended the ASEAN summit in the Philippines in 2017 while Vice President Mike Pence appeared last year.

A senior White House official denied that Washington had snubbed this year's event, saying Trump and Pence are unavailable because they are "very engaged in campaigning" for a string of governors' races.

US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross insisted Monday that his country remained "extremely engaged" with Asia despite Donald Trump skipping a regional leaders summit.

US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross insisted Monday that his country remained "extremely engaged" with Asia despite Donald Trump skipping a regional leaders summit. Ross and US national security advisor Robert O'Brien are the most senior members of the Washington delegation in Bangkok for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting, also attended by Indian, South Korean and Japanese leaders. Previous meetings have been attended by the president or vice president. Trump is accused of retreating from the region after pulling out of a major Asia-Pacific trade pact almost immediately after taking office. But Ross pushed back against criticism that America has turned its back on Asian allies. "The Trump administration is extremely engaged in and fully committed to this region," he said at a business forum on the sidelines of the ASEAN meeting Monday. "We continue to negotiate trade deals with countries in this region." At the US-ASEAN meeting later in the day, O'Brien addressed several Southeast Asian foreign ministers after some leaders failed to turn up. Only the leaders of Thailand, Vietnam and Laos were in attendance, a departure from earlier ASEAN meetings over the weekend that heads-of-state were present for. Trade disputes Trump has railed against countries in Asia for building massive trade surpluses with the US and has vowed to pursue bilateral deals in the region in favour of sprawling pacts. He signed a free trade agreement with Japan earlier this year and also renegotiated the terms of a trade deal with South Korea. Soon after he took office Trump pulled out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) -- which would have been the world's biggest free-trade pact -- calling the deal a "job killer". It has since been reborn as a watered-down deal without the US, and another China-backed trade pact is now set to be the world's largest when it is signed. The 16-nation Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which could be finalised next year, includes 30 per cent of global GDP and half of the world's people. It includes all 10 ASEAN states plus China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand -- notably excluding the US. Washington remains locked in its bruising trade war with China, with both slides slapping tit-for-tat tariffs on billions of dollars worth of goods. Ross said an agreement to row back some of those tariffs was "very far along". Trump has said the deal could be soon signed with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, possibly in the US state of Iowa. Trump attended the ASEAN summit in the Philippines in 2017 while Vice President Mike Pence appeared last year. A senior White House official denied that Washington had snubbed this year's event, saying Trump and Pence are unavailable because they are "very engaged in campaigning" for a string of governors' races.

US says 'extremely engaged' in Asia after Trump skips ASEAN meet

Fourteen people were wounded in a pipe bomb blast in Manila, Philippine police said Saturday, but authorities dismissed any link to an Asian leaders` meeting under way in the capital.

The explosion happened late Friday about five kilometres (three miles) from the heavily guarded complex where Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) leaders are meeting and police said they were investigating the possibility it was a revenge assault.&nbsp;

A relative of a 14-year-old boy injured in an attack in the same area by a group of youths earlier in the week had made public threats, police spokeswoman Chief Inspector Kimberly Molitas said.

She described the device as a &quot;homemade pipe bomb&quot; stuffed with low-grade explosives, like the ones used to make firecrackers.&nbsp;

No one has been arrested.&nbsp;

&quot;The incident is not in any way connected to or directed (at) the ongoing ASEAN summit,&quot; Ernesto Abella, spokesman for President Rodrigo Duterte, said in a statement.&nbsp;

&quot;We assure our people that security measures are in place in today`s event and ask the public for their full understanding and cooperation in this regard.&quot;&nbsp;

The Philippines is fighting Islamic militants based in the country`s south who have been blamed by police in the past for deadly bombings as well as kidnappings.

Of the 14 people hurt, six were treated for minor wounds and sent home, while eight others remain in hospital, two of them with serious injuries, Molitas said.&nbsp;

(AFP)

The explosion happened late Friday about five kilometres (three miles) from the heavily guarded complex where Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) leaders are meeting

Fourteen people were wounded in a pipe bomb blast in Manila, Philippine police said Saturday, but authorities dismissed any link to an Asian leaders` meeting under way in the capital. The explosion happened late Friday about five kilometres (three miles) from the heavily guarded complex where Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) leaders are meeting and police said they were investigating the possibility it was a revenge assault. A relative of a 14-year-old boy injured in an attack in the same area by a group of youths earlier in the week had made public threats, police spokeswoman Chief Inspector Kimberly Molitas said. She described the device as a "homemade pipe bomb" stuffed with low-grade explosives, like the ones used to make firecrackers. No one has been arrested. "The incident is not in any way connected to or directed (at) the ongoing ASEAN summit," Ernesto Abella, spokesman for President Rodrigo Duterte, said in a statement. "We assure our people that security measures are in place in today`s event and ask the public for their full understanding and cooperation in this regard." The Philippines is fighting Islamic militants based in the country`s south who have been blamed by police in the past for deadly bombings as well as kidnappings. Of the 14 people hurt, six were treated for minor wounds and sent home, while eight others remain in hospital, two of them with serious injuries, Molitas said. (AFP)

Philippines: 14 injured in Manila blast as ASEAN leaders meet

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India, US discuss trade, security in Manila meeting

UN expert calls for new approach to Myanmar crisis

US says 'extremely engaged' in Asia after Trump skips ASEAN meet

Philippines: 14 injured in Manila blast as ASEAN leaders meet