US Won’t Deepen Pakistan Ties at India’s Expense: Marco Rubio ahead of Jaishankar Meet
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington sees room to expand its strategic engagement with Pakistan, but emphasized this would not come at the cost of America’s “deep, historic, and important” relationship with India. Speaking to reporters ahead of his meeting with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on the ASEAN/EAS sidelines in Kuala Lumpur, Rubio noted New Delhi’s concerns are understandable given India–Pakistan tensions, but stressed that engaging multiple partners is part of a mature, pragmatic foreign policy.
Addressing questions on India’s energy purchases, Rubio said New Delhi has already indicated interest in diversifying crude imports, adding that if India buys more from the US, it will rely less on other suppliers. He also underscored the US’s long counter-terrorism partnership with Pakistan, while clarifying that expanding that agenda does not diminish strategic priorities with India.
