15 Aug Warm words for India, economic push with Pakistan: How US greeted two arch-rivals within 24 hours on Independence Day
Warm words for India, economic signals for Pakistan
In his statement to India, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio extended congratulations and reaffirmed the “shared vision for a peaceful, prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific region.” The note emphasised cooperation across industries, innovation, emerging technologies and even space exploration — reflecting the long-standing strategic alignment between New Delhi and Washington.
By contrast, the message to Pakistan praised its role in counterterrorism and looked ahead to “new areas of economic cooperation,” specifically naming critical minerals and hydrocarbons. The US also expressed interest in fostering dynamic business partnerships aimed at mutual prosperity.
Pakistan’s renewed US access
The greeting to Islamabad comes amid a period of improving ties between Pakistan and the Trump administration, following years of strained relations. Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir has regained prominence in Washington’s decision-making circles after a sustained diplomatic push. The US recently designated the Balochistan Liberation Army and The Majeed Brigade as foreign terrorist organisations, a move seen as aligning with Pakistan’s interests in the mineral-rich but insurgency-hit Balochistan province.
The strategic value of Pakistan’s resources — including rare earth elements, copper, lithium and potential hydrocarbons — has become a central theme in this renewed engagement. Reports indicate that US business figures close to the Trump family were shown investment opportunities linking minerals to cryptocurrency infrastructure, a pitch that appears tailored to President Trump’s deal-making instincts.
Strain in India-US ties
India’s relationship with the US has faced headwinds in recent months, with steep tariffs imposed on Indian goods and President Trump’s blunt remarks over India-Pakistan tensions. Despite these strains, strategic cooperation between India and the US remains intact in areas such as defence, technology and regional security. However, the divergent tone of the Independence Day messages to India and Pakistan underlines a recalibration in Washington’s South Asia policy — one influenced by resources, transactional diplomacy and shifting geopolitical calculations.
The road ahead
Whether Pakistan’s current momentum in Washington will endure depends on its ability to deliver on its promises of mineral wealth and economic opportunities. India, meanwhile, may seek to reaffirm its strategic indispensability to the US, particularly in the Indo-Pacific context. For now, the US Independence Day greetings to its two South Asian partners reflect both the weight of history and the pull of new economic opportunities, a reminder that in Washington’s foreign policy, long-standing alliances can still be tested by short-term deals.