Overview
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Indian media that Washington must keep a relationship with Pakistan because of its geography and nuclear weapons and because conversation can help address Indian security worries.
- Rubio argued that direct engagement could put the United States in a position to press Islamabad to discourage activities that worry India rather than isolating Pakistan outright.
- He framed the stance as part of his duties as secretary of state and contrasted it with his prior role as a senator where he had advocated cutting aid if Pakistan sponsored militancy.
- Rubio made the remarks during a visit to India focused on deepening U.S.-India cooperation on trade, defence, technology and regional security, using diplomatic leverage such as temporary tariff waivers on Russian oil in ongoing negotiations.
- The comments build on tense India‑Pakistan ties since a short 2025 conflict and a disputed U.S.-brokered ceasefire claim by President Trump, with U.S. officials stressing opposition to terrorism and to any state that sponsors it.