MUMBAI: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said maintaining relations with Pakistan is a strategic necessity for Washington because of the country’s nuclear capabilities and geographical importance, drawing a parallel with India’s diplomatic engagement with Iran.
In an interview with India’s Network18, Rubio said the United States must maintain communication with countries even when differences exist over certain issues.
He emphasised that Pakistan’s status as a nuclear-armed country and its strategic location made continued engagement with Islamabad important for American foreign policy.
Rubio compared Washington’s relationship with Pakistan to New Delhi’s diplomatic ties with Tehran, saying India also needed to maintain relations with Iran despite differences and regional complexities.
The US secretary of state said managing relations with different countries was not always straightforward, but maintaining diplomatic engagement remained an essential part of Washington’s foreign policy.
He explained that continued communication with Pakistan could also help the United States discourage actions that might raise concerns for India.
Rubio reaffirmed Washington’s opposition to terrorism and the sponsorship of terrorist activities anywhere in the world.
His remarks come amid continuing discussions over Pakistan-US relations and the diplomatic balance between Washington, Islamabad and New Delhi.
The comments highlight the strategic importance Washington attaches to maintaining channels of communication with Pakistan while managing its broader regional relationships.