Rubio says Pakistan ties will not come at India’s expense

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington’s relationship with Pakistan would not come at India’s expense, while describing the United States and India as closely aligned on core interests. His remarks in Mumbai came as the two countries continue trade negotiations and manage disagreements over tariffs and energy policy. At a reception in Mumbai on October 20, Rubio called the countries’ alignment on issues central to their national interests extraordinary. He acknowledged that they would not agree on every issue, but said cooperation gave them an opportunity to shape events in the 21st century. He also described India as a cornerstone partner and said the Indo-Pacific would be central to the century’s course. In an interview published October 21, Rubio said the United States needed a relationship with Pakistan and that it could help Washington discourage actions that might lead to conflict. He rejected comparisons with the U.S. tilt toward Islamabad during the Nixon era, saying that period’s Cold War context differed from the present. His comments addressed unease in New Delhi over the Trump administration’s warmer ties with Pakistan and its military leadership....