US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that closer US-Pakistan ties will not come at the expense of India, emphasising that Washington and New Delhi share common concerns about terrorism. His remarks came during a visit to India, where he addressed questions about America’s engagement with Pakistan and its commitment to counterterrorism.
In an exclusive interview, Rubio made the comments at Mumbai’s Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, one of the locations targeted during the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, commonly known as 26/11.
Rubio Reaffirms US-India Partnership
Responding to concerns about whether Washington’s growing engagement with Islamabad could affect India’s security interests, Rubio said the US relationship with Pakistan would not undermine its partnership with New Delhi.
He stressed that both countries shared concerns about terrorism and that cooperation between Washington and New Delhi remained important.
Rubio explained that the United States maintained relationships with countries worldwide to protect its broader interests. According to him, continued engagement with Pakistan could give Washington greater influence over decisions made by Islamabad on several issues.
He also described the US partnership with India as long-established, while noting that relations with Pakistan had improved in recent years.
US Offers to Help Ease India-Pakistan Tensions
Rubio acknowledged the longstanding tensions between India and Pakistan and said Washington was prepared to play a constructive role in preventing them from escalating into a wider conflict.
He said the United States did not want to see another war between the neighbouring countries. Instead, Washington would prefer both sides to focus on business, commerce and cooperation that could support economic prosperity and regional security.
His remarks highlighted the US position of maintaining engagement with both countries while seeking to prevent further escalation.
Washington Highlights Global Counterterrorism Operations
Reiterating the United States’ commitment to fighting terrorism, Rubio pointed to American operations against extremist organisations, including the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda.
He also referred to the operation that killed Al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden, alongside US counterterrorism operations in parts of Africa.
Rubio argued that these actions demonstrated Washington’s efforts to confront terrorist groups and extremist ideologies that threaten countries around the world, including India.
His comments come as New Delhi continues to emphasise the importance of international cooperation against terrorism and seeks assurances that strategic partnerships between major powers will support regional security.
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