Former US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated on Saturday that Washington’s relations with New Delhi and Islamabad are fundamentally different, describing India as a vital “global force” with far-reaching collaboration areas.
According to sources, speaking at a leadership event in conversation with Amb. Jawed Ashraf, Blinken noted that US-India ties and shared interests are global in nature.
He also acknowledged India’s right to self-defence against terrorist threats while supporting diplomatic resolutions during escalations. In contrast, Blinken characterised America’s engagement with Pakistan as strictly regional, anchored primarily around essential counterterrorism cooperation.
The remarks arrive against the backdrop of evolving geopolitical dynamics under US President Donald Trump’s administration, following Trump’s previous claims regarding a May 2025 India-Pakistan ceasefire. While Islamabad subsequently backed Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize, New Delhi maintained that Pakistan had sought the truce after being overwhelmed by Indian military operations.
Blinken’s assessment highlights Washington’s strategic calculus, separating its expansive, multi-sector global partnership with India from its narrow, security-focused regional interactions with Pakistan.