US sees opportunity to expand strategic ties with Pakistan: Rubio

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that Washington sees an opportunity to expand its strategic relationship with Pakistan, clarifying that improved ties with Islamabad do not come at the expense of its longstanding partnership with India.

Speaking at a press briefing on Saturday, Rubio said India had not raised any formal concerns about the growing Pakistan-US engagement but acknowledged New Delhi’s awareness of historical tensions. “We have to have relations with a lot of different countries,” he said, describing India’s approach as “mature and pragmatic.”

Rubio said the United States aimed to rebuild a “strategic partnership” with Pakistan, expanding cooperation beyond counterterrorism. He added that Washington sought opportunities for broader collaboration despite expected “difficulties and challenges.”

The remarks come amid strengthening bilateral ties following Pakistan’s recognition of US President Donald Trump’s role in defusing recent tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi.

Earlier, the US Strategic Metals company signed a $500 million MoU with Pakistan to develop mineral processing facilities and advance rare earth exports, a move described as a milestone in the evolving partnership.

Rubio termed the growing relationship “encouraging,” emphasizing that it complements, rather than undermines, Washington’s friendship with India