Former US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday said Washington’s need for Pakistan’s help in Afghanistan had probably made it less critical of the military’s grip on Pakistan’s government. He said the US no longer views India through a Pakistan lens.Former US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.“Seeing the relationship with India in some fashion through the prism of Pakistan, that is over and done,” Blinken said at the 24th Hindustan Times Leadership Summit.

He said the earlier approach was driven by expedience, mainly the US’s goals in Afghanistan, and that this had ended, allowing Washington to recalibrate.He drew a sharp line between the two relationships. India, he said, was a global force, while the relationship with Pakistan “has been regional”. “These are fundamentally different relationships,” he said.Deep DiveOn terrorism, Blinken said the US had “zero tolerance”.

He said Washington must respect India’s right to defend itself when attacked, and also back the diplomatic efforts needed to deal with that challenge.He acknowledged that Washington’s past dealings with Pakistan had come at a cost. That expedience “probably caused us to have less of a critical hand when it comes to the government, the military, the civil-military balance,” he said. “There is an opportunity for the United States to do more to try to see that balance change.”But he said the US could not impose an outcome. “These are decisions that Pakistanis make about the nature of their society, the nature of their governments, and it’s not going to be done by us or by anyone else.

We can be very supportive, but these are fundamentally decisions that Pakistanis make.”He said he hoped the subcontinent would eventually be “integrated in the most positive way”.He described Pakistan as “a shadow” on India-US ties, and raised two concerns: the role of the Pakistani military in terrorism, and how civil-military imbalance undermines democracy in Pakistan.Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs.

The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments.

Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available.

Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read MoreGet Latest News, breaking headlines, and top India News, and today real-time updates from across the nation. Stay informed on politics, government policies, crime, Today Weather, and major developments on Hindustan Times