In a move to maintain diplomatic equilibrium, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that the United States’ efforts to enhance its strategic relationship with Pakistan will not come at the cost of its ties with India. Rubio emphasized that this approach is a hallmark of a mature and pragmatic foreign policy, acknowledging that countries, including India, maintain relationships with nations that the U.S. may not.
“Vice versa applies,” Rubio remarked to reporters while traveling, highlighting the nuanced nature of international diplomacy. He further elaborated that any engagement with Pakistan is not intended to undermine the deep, historic, and crucial relationship the U.S. shares with India.
This statement comes amidst an apparent shift in U.S. policy towards Pakistan under the Trump administration, which has caused concern in India, particularly as U.S.-India relations have seen some strain due to tariff disputes initiated by the U.S. President.
President Trump has frequently linked India and Pakistan in his discussions on conflict resolution and peace initiatives, even claiming credit for brokering a ceasefire between the two nuclear-armed nations during a military conflict in May. While India has disputed his claims of using tariffs as a leverage for peace, Pakistan has welcomed Trump’s involvement and even nominated him for a Nobel Peace Prize.
Rubio mentioned that his outreach to Islamabad preceded any conflict with Delhi, indicating the administration’s interest in revitalizing alliances and strategic partnerships. He acknowledged the complexities involving India but stressed the U.S. goal of fostering partnerships wherever possible.
“We’ve had a long history of partnering with Pakistan on counter-terror and things of that nature. We’d like to expand it beyond that, if possible,” Rubio stated, underscoring a desire to broaden the scope of cooperation.
The U.S. has imposed significant tariffs on Indian exports, with rates considerably higher than those on Pakistan. Recent agreements between the U.S. and Pakistan on critical minerals and oil have been noted, with President Trump often using terms like “great leaders” for both Pakistani officials and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Rubio’s attendance at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia, alongside President Trump, coincided with Prime Minister Modi’s absence, thus missing a potential meeting. President Trump has continued to promote his role as a peacemaker, notably after overseeing a truce agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, again referring positively to Pakistani leadership.
Looking ahead, Rubio is scheduled to meet with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to discuss ongoing trade negotiations and issues related to Russian oil imports. India maintains its sovereign right to choose its energy sources, while Rubio indicated that Delhi has informed the U.S. about its plans to diversify oil suppliers, including increasing purchases from the U.S.
President Trump has been more direct, claiming Prime Minister Modi assured him of reduced Russian oil purchases, a statement India has diplomatically refuted. The U.S. views India’s oil imports from Russia as contributing to funding Moscow’s war in Ukraine, a significant concern given India’s substantial reliance on Russian crude.