NEW DELHI: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday stated that India did not raise concerns regarding Pakistan's reported role as a mediator in the ongoing US-Iran conflict, despite New Delhi's persistent worries about terrorist groups operating from Pakistani territory.
Rubio's Remarks on India's Concerns
Responding to a question in Delhi about whether the Indian side expressed concerns over Pakistan acting as a mediator in the US-Iran conflict, Rubio said, "They're always concerned about, obviously. 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." He added, "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."
Diplomatic Context
Rubio's comments come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts surrounding the conflict between the United States and Iran. Multiple reports have suggested that Pakistan has played a facilitative role in backchannel communications between the two sides. India has consistently raised concerns over cross-border terrorism and the presence of terror groups operating from Pakistan. However, Rubio indicated that New Delhi's concerns remain focused on security and terrorism-related issues rather than Islamabad's diplomatic engagement in the Iran crisis.
India's Stance on Terrorism
India has long maintained that Pakistan-based terrorist groups pose a significant threat to its national security. While the US-Iran conflict has drawn international attention, India's primary issue with Pakistan remains centered on terrorism. Rubio's remarks clarify that New Delhi did not object to Pakistan's mediator role in the Iran situation, as India views its dispute with Pakistan as separate from the US-Iran dynamics.
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