US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Washington views its growing relationship with Pakistan as a positive and strategic opportunity to advance shared goals.
Speaking to reporters en route to Doha, Qatar, Rubio emphasized that the United States aims to expand cooperation with Pakistan in key areas of mutual interest. He described the approach as part of a pragmatic and balanced US foreign policy.
“We see an opportunity to expand our strategic relationship with Pakistan,” Rubio said, according to a transcript published on the State Department’s website. “Our job is to figure out how many countries we can work with on things of mutual interest.”
When asked about India’s concerns, Rubio said New Delhi understands Washington’s regional strategy and has responded with “diplomatic maturity.”
“We know they’re concerned for obvious reasons because of the tensions that have existed between Pakistan and India historically,” he stated. “But they also recognize that we have to maintain relations with many countries. They themselves have relationships with states that we don’t.”
Rubio clarified that strengthening ties with Pakistan “does not come at the expense of our relationship or friendship with India,” which he called “deep, historic, and important.”
His remarks underscore Washington’s attempt to maintain balance in its South Asian policy as it seeks greater engagement with both Islamabad and New Delhi on security, trade, and regional stability.
The comments come amid renewed diplomatic activity between Pakistan and the United States, particularly in counterterrorism cooperation and regional connectivity projects, as Washington recalibrates its foreign policy priorities in the post-Afghanistan context.
Analysts say Rubio’s statement reflects an evolving US view that Pakistan remains an important player in ensuring regional stability and in advancing shared security and economic interests in South and Central Asia.
