U.S. Seeks to Strengthen Ties with Pakistan Without Undermining Relations with India: Rubio
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has underlined that Washington aims to expand its strategic relationship with Pakistan while maintaining strong ties with India. Speaking ahead of the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, Rubio highlighted areas of potential cooperation with Pakistan, including counterterrorism, trade, energy and infrastructure development. He noted that initiatives such as exploring oil reserves in Balochistan and developing the deep-sea port in Pasni could enhance regional stability and economic engagement, while allowing the U.S. to maintain a strategic presence in South Asia.
At the same time, Rubio reassured that these efforts will not come at the expense of the U.S.-India relationship. Emphasizing the historic and deep-rooted partnership with India, he stressed that U.S. diplomacy allows for independent and balanced engagement with multiple regional partners. Rubio is also scheduled to meet Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar during the summit to discuss evolving regional dynamics and ensure that U.S. cooperation with Pakistan complements, rather than conflicts with, its longstanding relationship with New Delhi.
