US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the President Donald Trump administration’s decision to ease the implementation of Russia-related sanctions and argued that Washington must continue engaging with Pakistan despite New Delhi’s longstanding concerns over terrorism.
In a Network18 interview, Rubio acknowledged the tensions created by sanctions targeting Moscow and countries continuing to do business with Russia, saying policymakers must weigh their broader consequences.
“People don’t realise that sanctions come at a consequence because sanctions aren’t just on Russia, they are on anyone who does business with Russia,” he said, noting that there is a constant balancing act between pressuring parties involved in the Ukraine conflict and limiting unintended consequences for other countries.
National security waiver
Defending President Trump’s decision to use a national security waiver on legislation proposing tougher tariffs and sanctions linked to Russia, Rubio said such measures must be viewed in their entirety, taking into account their impact on the global economy and partner nations.
Responding to a question on Pakistan and his previous calls as a senator for action against countries sponsoring terrorism against India, Rubio reiterated that the US opposes terrorism anywhere in the world and anyone who supports it. However, he said Washington’s broader foreign policy considerations require maintaining relations with Islamabad.
“In the case of Pakistan, it’s a country that we have to have a relationship with,” he said, citing its possession of nuclear weapons and its geographic importance. He added that maintaining channels of communication with Islamabad could help the US discourage actions that are a source of concern for India.
On tensions in West Asia, Rubio accused Iran of targeting commercial shipping while insisting that traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains largely unchanged from pre-conflict levels. “We have a nation state that is openly saying we are targeting commercial vessels,” he said, adding that Tehran was employing “Nazi U-boat tactics” by attempting to strike merchant ships. Rubio said Indian sailors had been among those affected by the attacks and pledged continued US efforts to protect shipping routes.
The Secretary of State also rejected the notion that anti-India sentiment is widespread in the United States, even as he acknowledged incidents of hatred and hostility directed at communities. Rubio said such behaviour reflected the actions of a small minority and pointed to strong support from local communities whenever such incidents occurred.
“I do not believe, nor have I ever perceived, that anti-Indian sentiment in the United States is widespread or deep,” he said, describing the Indian-American community as an important part of American society.
Published on October 20, 2026
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