Rubio Reveals Pakistan Shift for Afghanistan Gains in South Asia
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio with his South Korean counterpart (Image X.com)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed America’s evolving approach toward China, Pakistan, and India under Trump’s second term, emphasizing “strategic stability” and “mature foreign policy”
TRH Global Affairs Desk
August 1, 2025 — US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a wide-ranging interview with Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade, outlined the Trump administration’s “strategic balancing” in dealing with China while acknowledging a perceptible tilt toward Pakistan over India in recent months.
In a moment that raised eyebrows among foreign policy observers, Rubio did not deny that the US seems to be shifting focus “more toward Pakistan than India.” He added, “We have ongoing security concerns in the region, and we’re seeking ways to stabilize Afghanistan through Islamabad’s cooperation, while recalibrating expectations from New Delhi.”
This marks a notable departure from the earlier phase of Trump’s second term, when the U.S.-India relationship appeared to deepen around defense cooperation and shared concerns about China.
US-India ties have recently faced strain over “India’s arms purchases from Russia, and a lack of alignment on the Ukraine war.” Meanwhile, Pakistan has seen renewed engagement from Washington, with reports of fresh counterterrorism cooperation and infrastructure investments in Gwadar under a US-led Indo-Pacific stabilization fund.
When pressed on whether Washington is now leaning toward deal-making with Beijing, Rubio clarified, “We have plenty of issues we disagree with China on. But we also remain committed to freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific and our partnerships with nations like Taiwan and the Philippines.”
Despite persistent frictions—ranging from Taiwan to trade and military posturing in the South China Sea—Rubio emphasized that a full-scale trade war with China would hurt the global economy. “The US may benefit in certain aspects, but the world, and even our own economy, would feel the shockwaves,” he said, advocating instead for “a mature foreign policy that strategically balances equities.”
Short-Term Deal with China
Rubio acknowledged that the US currently lacks a formal trade deal with China but noted the existence of a “short-term agreement” that was extended “after a very hard negotiation.” The agreement reportedly involves limited tariff relief and sectoral cooperation on key commodities like semiconductors and agricultural products, while broader structural concerns remain unresolved. The US and China have agreed for a 90-day pause to negotiate a trade deal.
Responding to tensions over Taiwan, Rubio said the administration is “as committed as ever” to supporting democratic allies. This comes despite Beijing’s protests over Taiwan President Lai Ching-te’s unofficial visit to the US in July, during which American lawmakers reiterated support for Taiwan’s autonomy.
“We told them not to provoke Beijing by walking across the country, but the reality is, Taiwan is a key partner in preserving regional peace and semiconductor supply chain resilience,” Rubio stated.
China, Ukraine, and the Global Chessboard
Rubio also highlighted the geopolitical complexity of seeking China’s support on the Ukraine front, even as tensions mount elsewhere. “We’re asking them to be constructive on Ukraine while we remain tough on Indo-Pacific security. That’s the balance — it’s not perfect, but necessary,” he said.
The Trump Doctrine in Term Two
US President Trump’s second term has seen a return to hard-nosed transactional diplomacy. On China, the administration oscillates between pressure and pragmatism — continuing military deterrence while occasionally entertaining high-level economic dialogues.
With India, relations have cooled compared to the warmth of the first term, partly due to divergent positions on Russia and the global south. Pakistan, long seen as a security-dependent partner, is now viewed as a useful player in achieving limited counterterrorism and regional stability goals.
Dr. Evelyn Chen, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, says the administration is playing a “3D chess game”: “Rubio is signalling to both Beijing and New Delhi that the US isn’t picking sides in absolutes. The new doctrine is flexible realism — deal where you can, deter where you must.”
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