Marco Rubio Affirms US-Pakistan Relations Won't Compromise Historic India Partnership

Marco Rubio engaged with journalists before his departure for the ASEAN summit in Malaysia.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has clarified that while the United States sees potential to enhance its strategic partnership with Pakistan, this development would not compromise America's deep and historical relationship with India.

Speaking to reporters before his scheduled meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, Rubio addressed concerns about India's energy ties with Russia, noting that New Delhi has already expressed intentions to diversify its crude oil sources.

When questioned about US-Pakistan relations, Rubio acknowledged India's natural concerns but emphasized the necessity of maintaining diplomatic relationships with various nations. "We see an opportunity to expand our strategic relationship with Pakistan," he stated.

He praised India's diplomatic maturity, saying, "I think the Indians are very mature when it comes to diplomacy and things of that nature. Look, they have some relationships with countries that we don't have relationships with. So, it's part of a mature, pragmatic foreign policy."

Rubio firmly stated, "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."

US-Pakistan relations have improved considerably in the past six months, particularly following US President Donald Trump's meeting with Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir after military tensions between India and Pakistan in May. While India disputed Trump's claims about brokering a ceasefire, Pakistan credited the US president for de-escalating hostilities.

Regarding India's procurement of Russian oil and potential trade agreements with the US, Rubio noted that India has already expressed interest in diversifying its oil suppliers. "If they diversified their portfolio, the more they buy it from us, the more they'll buy it from someone else. But I wouldn't prejudge or -- I'm not negotiating trade deals. So I'm not going to speak on that," he explained.

The US recently imposed sanctions on Russian oil exporters Rosneft and Lukoil, a move likely to discourage Indian refiners from purchasing Russian crude. When asked about this in relation to India, Rubio acknowledged the "broader trade issues" between the two countries while affirming, "They (India) will always be our allies and friends."

India-US relations have been strained since Trump imposed 50 percent tariffs on Indian goods, including a 25 percent levy specifically targeting India's Russian oil purchases. India has characterized these actions as "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable."

In recent weeks, Trump has claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him India would cease buying Russian oil, though India suggested no such conversation occurred. Most recently, the US president called PM Modi to extend Diwali greetings.