Pakistan, July 8 -- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Malaysia this week to attend a high-level ASEAN meeting, marking his first official visit to the Indo-Pacific region. The trip, scheduled for July 8 to 12, aims to strengthen America's partnerships with Southeast Asian nations amid shifting global dynamics.

Rubio is set to join ministers from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Kuala Lumpur. The visit signals a renewed push by the United States to engage more actively with the region, particularly as concerns rise over China's growing influence and President Donald Trump's global trade policies.

During the meetings, Rubio is expected to reassure US allies about Washington's long-term commitm...