US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Dodges Question on Pakistan’s Alleged Support for Terrorism

During his official visit to India, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio sidestepped a direct question regarding Pakistan and its military’s alleged backing of terrorism, opting instead to highlight strengthening India-US bilateral ties.

In a video clip from a press interaction, Rubio was seen standing at a podium flanked by the American and Indian flags. When asked about Pakistan’s role in supporting cross-border terrorism, the top US diplomat shifted the conversation to broader India-US cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, defence partnership, and regional security.

The incident occurred amid Rubio’s four-day visit to India, where he held high-level talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and other officials. Both sides emphasised enhancing trade, defence collaboration, and joint efforts to address challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

Analysts view this as reflective of Washington’s traditional balancing act, deepening strategic partnership with India while maintaining long-standing security ties with Pakistan. However, the response has drawn disappointment in Indian strategic circles, especially in the context of recent terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir.