Seeking to strike a diplomatic balance, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has emphasised that Washington’s efforts to strengthen its “strategic relationship” with Pakistan will not come at the cost of its long-standing partnership with India.

Calling it part of “a mature, pragmatic foreign policy”, Rubio pointed out that India, too, maintains relations with countries that the United States does not.

“Vice versa applies,” Rubio said on Saturday, speaking to reporters aboard a flight to Doha, en route to Malaysia and other Asian nations as part of President Donald Trump’s eastward tour.

Add Zee News as a Preferred Source

“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,” he told jou

See Full Page