US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said Washington sees an opportunity to expand its strategic relationship with Pakistan, but it will not come at the expense of its historic and important ties with India.

Speaking to journalists ahead of his meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Kuala Lumpur on Monday for the Asean summit, Rubio said that the US maintains a “deep, historic, and important” friendship with India.

Rubio’s statement comes amid reports of the United States moving closer to Pakistan, a shift that has raised concerns among experts and caused an apparent unease in New Delhi, especially in light of recent strategic and economic deals under the Trump administration.

On queries about India’s concerns over US-Pakistan ties, Rubio said, “New Delhi is concerned f

See Full Page