New Delhi: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reaffirmed that Washington’s engagement with Pakistan will not come at the expense of its strategic partnership with India, underscoring the growing importance of India–US relations during his visit to New Delhi.
Speaking during his India visit, Rubio emphasised that the United States maintains tactical relationships with several countries, including Pakistan, but these do not undermine its long-term strategic alignment with India.
His remarks come at a time when India–US relations are expanding across defence, trade and geopolitical cooperation, with both sides engaging in ongoing discussions to strengthen bilateral ties.
India remains key strategic partner, says US
Rubio highlighted that the United States views India as a crucial partner in the Indo-Pacific region, with cooperation deepening across multiple sectors.
He stated that both countries remain committed to expanding engagement in areas of mutual interest, including security cooperation, trade, and global strategic stability.
The comments are being seen as reassurance to New Delhi amid concerns over Washington’s simultaneous diplomatic engagement with Islamabad.
Trade talks and global concerns addressed
During his interaction with the media, Rubio also addressed ongoing trade-related discussions between the two nations.
He said that US President Donald Trump had not “created a fiction” around trade issues involving India, but had instead raised broader concerns regarding global trade imbalances.
Rubio further expressed optimism that India and the United States could finalise a bilateral trade agreement in the near future, signalling continued momentum in economic cooperation.
Pakistan engagement described as tactical
Responding to questions about US relations with Pakistan, Rubio said Washington manages different international relationships based on specific strategic interests.
He stressed that such tactical engagements do not affect the United States’ broader and long-term strategic partnership with India.
The statement comes amid ongoing geopolitical balancing by the US in South Asia, where both India and Pakistan remain important diplomatic partners for different strategic reasons.
Iran nuclear issue and diplomatic signals
Rubio also addressed the situation involving Iran, hinting that diplomatic negotiations could be approaching a breakthrough.
Speaking in New Delhi, he suggested that “good news” could emerge soon regarding ongoing international talks involving Iran.
Reiterating Washington’s position, he stressed that Iran must never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons, aligning with long-standing US policy on the issue.
The remarks were made during a joint interaction with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, where both sides highlighted shared democratic values and growing convergence between India and the United States.
Conclusion
Marco Rubio’s remarks reinforce Washington’s attempt to balance its diplomatic ties in South Asia while reassuring India of its strategic priority in US foreign policy. His comments highlight continued efforts to strengthen India–US relations despite parallel engagements with Pakistan.