‘Not At India’s Expense’: US State Secretary Rubio’s Big Remark On Growing US-Pakistan Bonhomie

Responding to a reporter during a press briefing on the recent “turning point” in US-Pakistan relations, Rubio said the United States sought to expand its engagement with Islamabad, but acknowledged there would be “some difficulties and some challenges” along the way.

When asked whether the strengthening of ties this year was linked to Pakistan’s recognition of the US role in helping avert a potential war with India, Rubio said that while Islamabad “appreciated” Washington’s efforts, the outreach had begun much earlier

“No, I think they appreciated -anytime you work with someone, you get to know them and you interact with them, and so I do think there was some sense of happiness about it. But even before that conflict had started, I had already reached out to them and said look, we are interested in rebuilding an alliance, a strategic partnership with you. We think there are things we can work together with them on,” said Rubio.

“Look, we’re fully aware of the challenges with regards to India and everything else, but our job is to try to create opportunities for partnerships with countries where it’s possible. And we’ve had a long history of partnering with Pakistan on counterterror and things of that nature. We would like to expand it beyond that, if possible, and understanding that there’ll be some difficulties and some challenges. But I think it’s a very encouraging thing that that relationship has strengthened the way that it has, and I don’t think it comes at the expenses or instead of a good relationship with India, or anybody else for that matter,” he added.

‘Ties with Pakistan don’t come at expense of our friendship with India’: Rubio

When asked if India raised concerns about the US growing its ties with Pakistan, Rubio called Indians “mature” and stressed that both nations are pursuing a pragmatic foreign policy designed to engage with multiple partners at once.

He said, “They really haven’t – I mean, we know they’re concerned for obvious reasons because of the tensions that have existed between Pakistan and India historically. But, I think they have to understand we have to have relations with a
lot of different countries. We see an opportunity to expand our strategic relationship with Pakistan, and I think we’ve made – that’s our job, is to try to figure out how many countries we can find how we can work with on things of common interest.”

“So, I think the Indians are very mature when it comes to diplomacy and things of that nature. Look, they have some relationships with countries that we don’t have relationships with. So, it’s part of a mature, pragmatic foreign policy. 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 added.

Ever since Donald Trump returned to the Oval Office this year, Pakistan’s relations with the United States have taken a new turn.

Earlier this month, Pakistan shipped its first batch of enriched rare earth elements and critical minerals to the United States, marking the start of a $500 million partnership between the two countries.

Pakistan’s army has also floated a commercial proposal offering the US development rights for a port in Pasni, near Gwadar, to facilitate mineral exports, according to a report by The Financial Times.