US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Washington regards “an opportunity to expand its strategic relationship with Pakistan,” emphasising that the move does not come at the cost of America’s friendship with India.
During a press conference, media persons asked Rubio if India had raised apprehensions over Washington’s growing diplomatic ties with Pakistan.
“They really haven’t – I mean, we know they’re concerned for obvious reasons because of the tensions that have existed between Pakistan and India historically,” he said in a response.
He mentioned that India needs to understand that America has to keep its relations good with multiple partners.
“We see an opportunity to expand our strategic relationship with Pakistan,” Rubio said, adding that this was part of Washington’s broader policy to work with countries where shared goals converge.
He reaffirmed that Washington’s growing ties with Pakistan would not jeopardise its relationship with India, which he termed as“deep, historic, and important.”
The reestablished contact with Pakistan started even before the India-Pakistan conflict this year, as the US had showed willingness in reviving a “strategic partnership” with Islamabad, Rubio said in response to one of the questions.
He mentioned that both countries helped each other to counter terrorism, and that America sought to deepen the cooperation in areas other than security.
“But I think it’s a very encouraging thing that that relationship has strengthened the way that it has, and I don’t think it comes at the expense, or instead of a good relationship with India, or anybody else for that matter,” he added.
