By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday has defended the US ties with Pakistan, stated that they are part of a “mature foreign policy,” while asserted that Washington’s association with Islamabad does not come at the expense of its deep and historic relationship with India.
Rubio told reporters that “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 described US ties with Pakistan India’s hostile neighbor as part of a “mature, pragmatic foreign policy,” added that New Delhi also maintains relations with countries that are not allies of the United States.
Rubio noted that the US has a long history of partnering with Pakistan on counterterrorism and related issues. “We’d like to expand it beyond that, if possible,” he said.
His remarks came after rising concerns over the growing proximity between US President Donald Trump and Pakistan’s leadership, including the country’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir.
Trump hosted General Munir at the White House just days after a four-day military conflict between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terrorist attack, which killed 26 innocent civilians.
India had blamed Pakistan for the attack and General Munir is believed to have played a role in it.
Munir also accompanied Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to a meeting with Trump at the Oval Office.
Trump referred to Munir as his “favourite general,” during the Gaza Peace Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh on October 13, media reported
