Rubio: US Seeks Stronger Ties with Pakistan, But Not at India’s Expense
- By Thetripurapost Web Desk, New York
- Oct 26, 2025
- 566
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday said that while America intends to strengthen its ties with Pakistan, it will not come at the cost of its strategic relationship with India. Speaking to reporters, Rubio emphasized that both partnerships are crucial and can coexist under Washington’s broader vision of balanced diplomacy in South Asia.
Rubio noted that the United States and Pakistan have been cooperating in counter-terrorism efforts for years and that the Biden–Trump era dialogues had already laid the groundwork for deeper engagement. “We want to rebuild our strategic friendship with Pakistan. We believe we can work together on many things,” Rubio said, clarifying that this initiative is independent of recent regional tensions.
When asked whether India had expressed concern over Washington’s growing proximity with Islamabad, Rubio praised New Delhi’s diplomatic maturity:
“Indian diplomacy is sensible. They understand that we have to maintain relationships with many countries. They also have their own partnerships. This is part of sensible foreign policy,” he stated.
Pakistan-US Relations Deepen Post ‘Operation Sindoor’
The latest diplomatic overtures come in the backdrop of improved relations between Islamabad and Washington following India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ in May this year. On May 10, former US President Donald Trump claimed to have mediated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan — a move that Pakistan publicly endorsed, even nominating Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Subsequent high-level engagements further strengthened ties. Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir held a confidential meeting with Trump in June, followed by a joint session at the White House in September, attended by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Munir. During the meeting, Sharif hailed Trump as an “ambassador of peace.”
Strategic Port Proposal in Balochistan
In a significant economic development, Pakistan’s military leadership has proposed a new port project in Pasni, Balochistan, seeking US investment for its development and operation. According to a Reuters report, the port would serve as a trade and mineral hub, with no military presence permitted.
Located just 112 km from China’s Gwadar Port, the proposed Pasni port could provide the US strategic access to Pakistan’s rich mineral resources, including copper and antimony, while potentially counterbalancing China’s influence in the region.
Trade Snapshot and Emerging Trends
Bilateral trade between the United States and Pakistan reached $10.1 billion in 2024, marking a 6.3% increase from the previous year. The US exported goods worth $2.1 billion and imported $5.1 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of $3 billion.
Interestingly, while Washington imposed a 19% tariff on Pakistani imports, India faced a 50% tariff, a move analysts interpret as part of America’s strategic recalibration to pull Pakistan away from China’s orbit.
Analyst View: Balancing Act Between Delhi and Islamabad
Experts see Rubio’s remarks as a delicate diplomatic balancing act. The US appears to be expanding cooperation with Pakistan in counter-terrorism and economic development, while ensuring India remains a cornerstone of its Indo-Pacific strategy.
“Washington is essentially trying to craft a dual-track engagement — maintaining India as a strategic partner against China, while simultaneously reviving functional ties with Pakistan for regional stability,” said a senior South Asia analyst.