US-Pakistan Ties Not at India’s Expense, Says Secretary of State Rubio

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to maintaining balanced relations in South Asia, asserting that America’s engagement with Pakistan does not undermine its deep-rooted partnership with India.

“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,” Rubio told reporters on Saturday.

Rubio described U.S. ties with Pakistan—India’s long-time rival—as part of a “mature and pragmatic foreign policy,” emphasizing that diplomacy often requires engaging with diverse partners. “New Delhi itself maintains relations with countries that are not allies of the United States,” he noted.

The Secretary of State highlighted Washington’s longstanding cooperation with Islamabad on counterterrorism efforts, saying, “We’d like to expand it beyond that, if possible.”

Rubio’s remarks come amid growing concerns in New Delhi over the warming ties between President Donald Trump and Pakistan’s top leadership, including Army Chief General Asim Munir.

Earlier this year, Trump hosted General Munir at the White House—just days after a four-day military flare-up between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terrorist attack, which claimed 26 civilian lives. India directly blamed Pakistan for orchestrating the assault, with intelligence reports suggesting Munir’s possible involvement.

Last month, Munir joined Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in another high-profile meeting with Trump at the Oval Office.

More recently, during the Gaza Peace Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh on October 13, Trump even referred to Munir as his “favourite general,” raising eyebrows in diplomatic circles.

Rubio, however, downplayed speculation of any shift in U.S. policy, insisting that Washington’s relationship with India remains “a cornerstone of stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.”