US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reassures India that Washington's relationship with Pakistan will not come at New Delhi's expense. (Images: X)
Mumbai/Washington DC: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reassured India that Washington's growing engagement with Pakistan will not undermine its strategic relationship with New Delhi. His remarks come amid scrutiny of the Trump administration's outreach to Islamabad and its interactions with Pakistan's military leadership.
During his two-day visit to India, Rubio stressed that America's relationship with any other country would not come at India's expense.
Addressing comparisons between the current administration's South Asia policy and the approach adopted during President Richard Nixon's tenure, Rubio argued that the international landscape has changed significantly since the Cold War. He said the geopolitical circumstances of the 1970s were fundamentally different from those of today, making direct comparisons with the Nixon-Henry Kissinger era inappropriate.
Rubio acknowledged that Washington maintains ties with Islamabad and described the relationship as necessary. He suggested that American engagement could potentially help discourage actions that might trigger tensions or conflict in the region. He also pointed to bilateral cooperation, ongoing trade negotiations and high-level diplomatic engagement as evidence of Washington's commitment to its partnership with India.
The comments come as India and the US continue discussions on trade and broader cooperation, while regional security remains a key concern for New Delhi.
Beyond South Asia, Rubio addressed efforts to end Russia's war in Ukraine, acknowledging the complexity of reaching a settlement. He observed that a conflict that has continued for years cannot be resolved easily, highlighting the difficulties confronting diplomatic efforts.
Rubio's remarks underline Washington's attempt to maintain relationships across South Asia while reassuring India that its strategic partnership remains a priority.
