Balancing Act: US-Pakistan Relations Won’t Hurt India, Says Rubio

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has articulated a clear diplomatic stance, asserting that the United States is keen on enhancing its strategic alliance with Pakistan. Crucially, he reassured that this move would not compromise the “deep, historic, and important” relationship the US maintains with India. Rubio framed this as a testament to a sophisticated and practical foreign policy approach, where countries naturally engage with various international partners. “It’s part of a mature, pragmatic foreign policy,” he observed. Rubio directly addressed the perceived dichotomy by stating, “I don’t think anything we’re doing with Pakistan comes at the expense of our relationship or friendship with India, which is deep, historic, and important.” He acknowledged the existing complexities in relations with India but reiterated the US focus on building beneficial partnerships. The long-standing cooperation with Pakistan, particularly in counterterrorism, is viewed as a valuable asset, with ambitions to extend this collaboration. This clarification is noteworthy given current diplomatic undercurrents concerning Pakistan. Rubio also weighed in on India’s energy policies, mentioning the US dialogue on Russian oil purchases. While the US has expressed its views, Rubio recognized India’s expressed desire to broaden its energy sourcing, suggesting that increased energy trade between the US and India is a possibility.