US Seeks to Deepen Strategic Ties with Pakistan, Says Rubio
WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that Washington sees “an opportunity to expand its strategic relationship with Pakistan,” emphasizing that this renewed engagement will not come at the expense of America’s longstanding friendship with India.
During a press briefing, Secretary Rubio was asked whether New Delhi had raised concerns about Washington’s growing engagement with Islamabad.
“They really haven’t — though we know they’re naturally concerned given the historic tensions between Pakistan and India,” Rubio said, according to the transcript released by the State Department. “But India understands that the United States must maintain relations with multiple partners.”
Rubio said Washington’s evolving ties with Islamabad are part of a broader policy to strengthen cooperation with countries where mutual interests align.
“We see an opportunity to expand our strategic relationship with Pakistan,” he said, adding that this engagement would complement — not replace — America’s partnership with India, which he described as “deep, historic, and important.”
The secretary also clarified that the recent improvement in US-Pakistan ties did not stem solely from Islamabad’s role in preventing conflict with India. “Our renewed engagement with Pakistan began even before the conflict,” he noted, referring to the US’s earlier expressions of interest in rebuilding a “strategic partnership” with Islamabad.
Rubio highlighted the two nations’ long history of cooperation, particularly in counterterrorism, and said Washington aims to broaden the relationship beyond security matters.
“I think it’s a very encouraging development,” he said. “This relationship has strengthened in meaningful ways, and it doesn’t come at the expense of our ties with India or anyone else.”
The remarks come amid a marked improvement in bilateral relations after years of diplomatic chill. A key breakthrough occurred in March, when Pakistan’s intelligence services handed over an Islamic State Khorasan operative accused of orchestrating the 2021 Kabul bombing that killed 180 people, including 13 US soldiers.
Later, in May 2025, US President Donald Trump mediated a ceasefire between Pakistan and India following their most serious military confrontation in decades. Islamabad later recommended Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in defusing tensions.
President Trump has since repeatedly praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, describing both as “key partners” in promoting regional stability.