In a clear articulation of its foreign policy objectives, the United States is pursuing a strengthened relationship with Pakistan, emphasizing areas like counter-terrorism and potential infrastructure investment. Crucially, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has assured that this renewed engagement with Islamabad will not, in any way, undermine the strong and enduring strategic partnership the US maintains with India.
Rubio praised the diplomatic maturity of India, suggesting that Indian officials recognize the value of maintaining diverse international relationships. He stated that the US aims to rebuild and expand its strategic cooperation with Pakistan, focusing on shared interests and priorities. These efforts, he clarified, are not contingent on any specific events or perceived roles in mediating regional disputes, but rather represent a proactive strategy to foster broader engagement.
“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 declared. This sentiment is echoed in growing bilateral trade figures and proposals for significant US investment in Pakistan, such as the potential development of a port in Balochistan. The US approach appears to be one of balancing strategic interests across the region, ensuring that deepening ties with one partner does not jeopardize its core alliances.