The US is seeking to expand its strategic relationship with Pakistan but those ties do not come at the expense of Washington’s relations with India, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said.
Advertisement
Just like India had ties with countries that the US did not, the vice versa applies, Rubio told reporters on board a flight to Doha.
“It’s part of a mature, pragmatic foreign policy,” he said on Saturday. “I don’t think anything we’re doing with Pakistan comes at the expense of our relationship or friendship with India, which is deep, historic and important.”
The US’ pivot towards Pakistan under President Donald Trump has irked New Delhi and coincided with a fraying in ties between Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Pakistan and India, nuclear-armed neighbours with a contentious history, came close to a full-blown war in May.
Advertisement