US Signals Stronger Ties With Pakistan, But India Comes First; Rubio Calls For Strategic Diplomacy | World News
Washington: The United States is trying to strengthen relations with Pakistan but not at the expense of India, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Saturday.
According to media reports, Rubio emphasized that Washington and Islamabad already cooperate in counterterrorism efforts and that this cooperation will not harm the strong friendship with New Delhi.
Asked whether India was concerned about the US-Pakistan rapprochement, he praised Indian diplomacy and said officials in New Delhi understood that it was essential to maintain relations with more than one country. He added that every nation has strategic partners and this is a sign of a careful and thoughtful foreign policy.
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Renewal of Strategic Friendship with Pakistan
When asked whether the renewed friendship with Pakistan was linked to America and President Trump’s “role in preventing war between India and Pakistan”, he explained that the talks had started long ago and that the US aims to rebuild strategic cooperation with Pakistan.
He added that the two countries can now work together on various common priorities.
“We know there are long-standing tensions between India and Pakistan, but our job is to find avenues of friendship with as many countries as possible. We have worked with Pakistan against terrorism and now aim to expand that cooperation. This will not come at the expense of our strong ties with India or any other country,” Rubio said.
He reaffirmed that US efforts with Pakistan will not harm friendship with India.
Ties Strengthened After Operation Sindoor
Relations between Pakistan and the US strengthened significantly in May this year following India’s Operation Sindoor.
Trump said on May 10 that his mediation had brought India and Pakistan to a full and immediate ceasefire; This was a claim that India openly denied but supported by Pakistan. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif even nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize for this role.
In June, Pakistani Chief of General Staff Asim Munir held a secret meeting with Trump. Later in September, Sharif and Munir met Trump at the White House, and the Pakistani prime minister reportedly referred to the US president as an “ambassador of peace”.
On May 10, Trump tweeted that after lengthy U.S.-brokered talks, India and Pakistan had agreed to an immediate and complete ceasefire.
A Port Proposal in Balochistan
This month, Munir’s advisors suggested the US build a new port in Pasni, Balochistan, along the Arabian Sea. Reuters reported that Pakistan wants American investors to build and operate the port, which is just 112 km away from China’s Gwadar Port.
The proposal states that the port will serve only commercial and mining purposes, without allowing a US military base. This will give the United States easier access to Pakistan’s key minerals, including copper and antimony.
Growing Trade Between the USA and Pakistan
In 2024, trade between the United States and Pakistan reached $10.1 billion, an increase of 6.3% compared to 2023. The United States exported $2.1 billion and imported $5.1 billion, leaving a trade deficit of $3 billion.
Trump imposed a 50 percent tariff on India and a 19 percent tariff on Pakistan. Experts say this reflects America’s strategy of keeping Pakistan close and China at a distance.
