The United States is signaling a renewed commitment to strengthening its relationship with Pakistan, a move carefully calibrated to ensure it does not negatively impact the crucial alliance with India. Secretary of State Marco Rubio articulated this dual approach, confirming that enhanced cooperation with Pakistan, especially in the realm of counter-terrorism, will not come at the expense of India’s strategic partnership with the US.
Rubio praised India’s sophisticated foreign policy, suggesting that New Delhi understands and supports the global norm of nations maintaining diverse international relationships. He stated that the US aims to rebuild strategic cooperation with Pakistan, focusing on areas of shared interest. These discussions, he clarified, predate any recent diplomatic interventions involving India and Pakistan, highlighting a proactive US strategy to foster broader international engagement.
“Our job is to find paths of friendship with as many countries as possible. We have worked with Pakistan against terrorism and now aim to expand that cooperation. This will not come at the cost of our strong ties with India or any other nation,” Rubio emphasized. This assurance comes amidst reports of potential US investment in a port project in Balochistan and a steady increase in bilateral trade, underscoring a strategic effort by the US to deepen its footprint in Pakistan while upholding its commitments to its key allies.