United States (US) Secretary of State Marco Rubio has defended America’s relationship with Pakistan, saying that Washington DCneeds to maintain ties with Islamabad despite disagreements, drawing a parallel with India’s engagement with Iran.
In an exclusive interview with India’s Network18 Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi, Rubio said that Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities and geographic position make it necessary for Washington to maintain diplomatic engagement with Islamabad.
“In the case of Pakistan, it’s a country that we have to have a relationship with. It’s a country that possesses nuclear weapons. It’s a country that, from a geographic standpoint, we need to be able to interact with them,” Rubio said.
He compared the US approach to Pakistan with India’s relationship with Iran, saying that New Delhi also maintains contact with a country with which it has to navigate complex diplomatic considerations.
“Much in the same way as the government of India has to have and has a relationship and meets with leaders from Iran,” Rubio said.
Rubio made the remarks during a three-day visit to India, where Washington and New Delhi are seeking to resolve trade tensions and deepen energy ties.
During the interview, Joshi also raised Rubio’s earlier position as a senator, when he proposed a bill to cut US security assistance to Pakistan if Islamabad targeted India.
Responding to the question, Rubio said that his responsibilities had changed since taking office as secretary of state, requiring him to manage US foreign policy and maintain relations with countries despite disagreements.
“We’re against terrorism anywhere in the world. We’re against anybody who sponsors terrorism,” Rubio said.
“In my new role, I’m no longer a senator, I’m the Secretary of State, I have to manage the foreign policy of the United States, and that does require us to have relationships with countries, including those that we may have some disagreements with,” he added.
Rubio said that maintaining communication with Pakistan could also help Washington address concerns raised by India.
“These are difficult things to balance, but they have to be as part of our foreign policy,” he said, adding that continued engagement could serve a purpose beyond maintaining diplomatic relations.
“I think in a way it could be a positive thing, because if we have a relationship and we can speak to them, it could perhaps help us, it perhaps puts us in a position to help discourage the kinds of things that India’s worried about,” Rubio said.
The remarks prompted reactions on social media, where users criticised the Indian interviewer’s approach and welcomed Rubio’s response.
“Indian anchor wanted to have an answer of their own choice instead Marco Rubio turned the mirror towards him and showed him their true hypocrite face,” one reaction read.
“Another embarrassment for Indian media,” another user wrote, while a third described Rubio’s response as “a slap for Indians!”
Other reactions focused on India’s efforts to isolate Pakistan diplomatically.
“Pakistan cannot be ignored, intimidated, or isolated. New Delhi may sell fantasies of regional dominance and diplomatic isolation to its domestic audience, but propaganda cannot alter geopolitical realities,” one person wrote, adding that India needed to abandon what the user described as a “hegemonic mindset” and accept that peaceful coexistence was necessary.
Another reaction stated, “A day without humiliation is a day wasted for Indians.”
A separate post criticised Indian media, writing, “Yet again Godi media is embarrassing entire India in real time. Get a grip guys and grow up, get a cure for your Pakistan syndrome.”
One user also argued that the interviewer could have raised India’s alleged support for terrorism in Afghanistan and Balochistan, writing, “I mean he could have said how India sponsors terrorism in Afghanistan and Balochistan but he chose lesser degree of humiliation.”
Washington and Islamabad have strengthened diplomatic and economic ties under President of US Donald Trump’s second administration through high-level dialogue, strategic cooperation and mediation efforts.
During the armed conflict between Pakistan and India in May 2025, Trump said that he brokered a ceasefire after four days of fighting involving drones, missiles, artillery and fighter aircraft. India has denied that the US mediated the truce.
In June 2025, Trump hosted Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir, at the White House.
Pakistan also played a diplomatic role during the US war on Iran, relaying messages and hosting talks between Washington and Tehran. The efforts helped pave the way for a peace agreement that received praise from global leaders.
