US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Assures India on US Relations with Pakistan

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has ensured India that the revived ties between the US and Pakistan will not come at the expense of Washington's historic ties with New Delhi. Rubio made this statement during a chat with pool reporters on his way to the Asean meeting in Malaysia via Doha, where he will meet his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar to continue the ministerial level dialogue.

Rubio acknowledged India's concerns about the US pivot towards Pakistan, saying "Indians are very mature when it comes to diplomacy and things of that nature." He emphasized that the US will have relations with many countries and that its relations with Pakistan do not come at the expense of its relationship with India. Rubio also highlighted that the US understands India's need to diversify its oil portfolio, citing India's interest in buying oil from the US.

However, Rubio's remarks come at a time when US-India relations are under strain due to trade frictions and the US's recent engagement with Pakistan and China. The US has imposed tariffs on Indian goods, while Pakistan has a 19% tariff on its exports to the US. Rubio avoided committing to specifics on trade negotiations, stating that he is not negotiating trade deals.

Key Takeaways:

• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has assured India that the revived ties between the US and Pakistan will not come at the expense of Washington's historic ties with New Delhi.
• Rubio acknowledged India's concerns about the US pivot towards Pakistan, citing India's maturity in diplomacy.
• The US understands India's need to diversify its oil portfolio, citing India's interest in buying oil from the US.
• US-India relations are under strain due to trade frictions and the US's recent engagement with Pakistan and China.
• The US has imposed tariffs on Indian goods, while Pakistan has a 19% tariff on its exports to the US.

Statistics:

• 60 days: the time frame within which the US Customs and Border Protection will implement a rule to photograph and enter virtually every non-US citizen entering or departing the country into a facial recognition database.
• 10% to 50%: the current tariffs on Canadian goods, with Trump planning to slap an additional 10% tariff.
• 19%: the tariff on Pakistan's exports to the US, compared to India's 50%.

Sources:

• "Byline: Chidanand Rajghatta TNN Washington: Revitalised US ties with Islamabad will not be at the expense of Washington's 'deep, historic, and important' ties with India, US secretary of state Marco Rubio has said amid what he saw as disquiet in New Delhi about the Trump White House's pivot towards the military regime in Pakistan."
• "The rule will become effective 60 days from Oct 27."
• "Current tariffs on Canadian goods range from 10% to 50% ÇóTrump says he plans to slap additional 10% tariff on Canadian goods over Ontario ad using quotes from 1987 Reagan radio address on ramifications of high tariffs."
• "Pakistan currently has a 19% tariff on its exports to the US compared to India's 50%."