“No friendship with Pakistan at India’s cost”: Marco Rubio praises India’s pragmatic diplomacy

According to media reports, Rubio stated that US and Pakistan have already been working together against terrorism, but this will not harm its good friendship with India.

When he was asked if India expressed concern over the US-Pakistan closeness, Rubio said that Indian diplomacy is wise. They know that we have to maintain relationships with many countries. They also have relationships with some countries. This is part of a wise foreign policy.

Want to rebuild strategic friendship with Pakistan

Regarding United States relations with Pakistan, a journalist asked if this friendship grew because US and President Trump helped prevent war between India and Pakistan.

On this, Rubio said, "No, I think so. We had already started talking to Pakistan before this. We want to rebuild a strategic friendship with them. We feel that we can work together on many things."

Our job is to find a way to friendship: Rubio

Rubio said- We know there are old tensions between India and Pakistan, but our job is to find ways of friendship with as many countries as possible. We have been working with Pakistan against terrorism and now want to expand it further. But this will not be at the expense of our good relations with India or anyone else.

Rubio further said that I believe what we are doing with Pakistan will not harm our friendship with India.

Pakistan-US relations strengthened after Operation Sindoor

This May, after India's Operation Sindoor, relations between Pakistan and US have significantly strengthened. Trump claimed on May 10 to have brokered a ceasefire between the two countries, Pakistan supported this claim and also nominated Trump for the Nobel Prize.

Meanwhile, in June, Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir had a secret meeting with Trump. After that, in September, Shahbaz Sharif and Munir met with Trump at the White House, in this meeting, Sharif called Trump a peace envoy.

Proposal to US for a port in Balochistan

Advisors to Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir this month shared a proposal with the US to develop a port in Balochistan. According to Reuters news agency, Pakistan wants US investors to develop and operate a new port on the Arabian Sea coast in Pasni city, Balochistan.

The proposal clearly states that this port is only for trade and minerals. The US will not be allowed to build a military base here. Pasni is only 112 km away from Gwadar Port (China's port). This port will give the US easy access to Pakistan's important minerals like copper and antimony.

Trade worth 10 billion dollars took place between the two countries last year

In 2024, trade between the US and Pakistan was 10.1 billion dollars, which is 6.3% more than in 2023. The US exported goods worth 2.1 billion dollars and imported 5.1 billion dollars. The US trade deficit was 3 billion dollars.

Trump has imposed a 19% tariff on Pakistan, while a total of 50% tariff has been imposed on India. Experts believe that US is trying to keep Pakistan away from China.