U.S. Seeks Stronger Ties with Pakistan Without Undermining India, Says Rubio
The United States is seeking to strengthen its relationship with Pakistan while maintaining its close strategic partnership with India, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in Washington. Emphasizing that improved ties with Islamabad would not come at New Delhi’s expense, Rubio noted that Washington values India’s growing global role and regional influence. Addressing questions on India’s continued purchase of Russian oil, he stated that India has already shown interest in diversifying its energy imports. Rubio is expected to discuss these issues with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar during the upcoming ASEAN Summit. The U.S. aims to balance its South Asia policy by supporting Pakistan’s stability and counterterrorism efforts while deepening defense, trade, and technology cooperation with India. This approach reflects Washington’s broader Indo-Pacific strategy to promote regional security and reduce dependence on authoritarian regimes like Russia and China.
