India-Pakistan Issue ‘Different’: Marco Rubio Says New Delhi Did Not Object to Islamabad’s Role in US-Iran Conflict (Watch Video)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said India has not objected to Pakistan’s role as a mediator in US-Iran diplomatic efforts. During his India visit, Rubio noted that while New Delhi remains concerned about cross-border terrorism, Islamabad’s facilitation role has not been a contentious issue in talks.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that India has not raised objections regarding Pakistan’s involvement as a mediator in the ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the US-Iran conflict. Speaking during his four-day official visit to India, Rubio clarified that while New Delhi remains perpetually concerned about cross-border terrorism originating from Pakistani soil, the specific issue of Islamabad acting as a diplomatic facilitator between Washington and Tehran has not emerged as a point of contention in bilateral talks.
"They're always concerned about, obviously," Rubio said, referring to the Indian leadership. "India is always pointing to the fact that there are armed terrorist groups operating from Pakistani territory that target India. They're always concerned about that. But as far as the role they played as a mediator and a facilitator in the Iran situation, it never came up. I don't think that they would complain about that. I mean, their issue with Pakistan is different." ‘Modi Is Great’: Donald Trump Dials Marco Rubio During Live Delhi Event, Reaffirms Strong India-US Ties During Delhi Event.
The comments come at a critical juncture in Middle East diplomacy. The Trump administration has been utilizing backchannel communication and direct diplomacy to secure a permanent peace deal with Iran following the outbreak of hostilities earlier this year. Pakistan, along with other regional nations like Oman, has assumed a prominent role as an intermediary, facilitating the exchange of draft proposals between Washington and Tehran.
Historically, India has maintained a sensitive stance regarding Pakistan's diplomatic elevation on the world stage, particularly concerning security and regional alignment. Ties between Washington and New Delhi have faced structural pressures recently due to shifts in US immigration policies and trade. However, Rubio emphasized that strategic cooperation with other nations would not come at the expense of the US-India partnership.
During his visit, Rubio held extensive meetings with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. While the discussions focused heavily on bilateral trade, energy security, and visa restrictions affecting skilled Indian professionals, the US-led diplomatic track with Iran remained a key backdrop to the regional security dialogue. Marco Rubio Terms Racist Comments Against Indians as ‘Stupid’; Addresses Immigration Reforms and Visa Concerns.
American officials remain cautiously optimistic that a breakthrough with Iran may be imminent, focusing on the permanent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and verifiable caps on Tehran's nuclear capabilities. According to US officials, India's core focus regarding Pakistan remains strictly tied to counter-terrorism rather than its transactional role in broader Middle Eastern mediation.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 25, 2026 09:49 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
