Marco Rubio congratulates Pakistan on Independence Day, 'appreciates engagement on counterterrorism’

US wishes Pakistan on Independence Day

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio extended congratulations to Pakistan on the occasion of its Independence Day, celebrated on August 14.

Rubio stated that the United States “deeply appreciates Pakistan’s engagement on counterterrorism,” reaffirming Washington’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.

He also highlighted growing cooperation in areas such as trade and security, further consolidating America’s deepening ties with the South Asian nation.

"On behalf of the United States, I extend our warm congratulations to the people of Pakistan as they celebrate their Independence Day on August 14," Rubio said in a statement.

He further said: "The United States deeply appreciates Pakistan’s engagement on counterterrorism and trade. We look forward to exploring new areas of economic cooperation, including critical minerals and hydrocarbons, and fostering dynamic business partnerships which will promote a prosperous future for Americans and Pakistanis."

This comes as Washington designated the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its alias, the Majeed Brigade, as foreign terrorist organisations during Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir’s second visit to the US.

Pakistan and the US also held a counterterrorism dialogue in Islamabad recently, even though India put out strong evidence of the Pakistani link to the Pahalgam attack terrorists in front of the world.

After the two countries’ bilateral counterterrorism dialogue in Islamabad this week, a joint statement was issued. It said, “Both delegations underscored the critical importance of developing effective approaches to terrorist threats, including those posed by Balochistan Liberation Army, ISIS-Khorasan, and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.”

The renewed engagement between the U.S. and Pakistan comes amid heightened tensions in the region following India's decisive response to a Pakistan-backed terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

In a strong counter-terror operation, Indian forces targeted and destroyed multiple terrorist infrastructures across the border, including key hubs in Bahawalpur and Muridke, reaffirming India's commitment to eliminating cross-border terrorism.

While US President Trump has repeatedly suggested using trade as leverage to encourage a ceasefire between the two warring nations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi firmly clarified in Parliament that there would be no third-party intervention, asserting India's clear stance on handling the India-Pakistan military conflict independently.