De-escalate Tensions: Marco Rubio Urges India and Pakistan to Ease Conflict in Talks with Jaishankar and Sharif
De-escalate Tensions: Marco Rubio Urges India and Pakistan to Ease Conflict in Talks with Jaishankar and Sharif
Blog Article
In the latest news today, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urges India and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions during separate talks with EAM Jaishankar and PM Shehbaz Sharif, stressing the need for regional stability.
In trending news, the United States has stepped up diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation between India and Pakistan after the devastating April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The brutal assault claimed the lives of 26 civilians, most of them tourists, and has triggered renewed tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held separate phone calls with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging both countries to de-escalate tensions and focus on regional stability. This diplomatic outreach comes at a time when both countries are taking hardline positions, with India promising a strong response and Pakistan warning against any military action.
Rubio’s Diplomatic Intervention(De-escalate Tensions)
In a statement issued by the US State Department, spokesperson Tammy Bruce said that Rubio expressed sorrow over the “horrific terrorist attack” in Pahalgam and extended condolences to the victims’ families. “The Secretary reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to cooperation with India against terrorism,” she added.
Jaishankar told Rubio that India expects the perpetrators and their backers to be held accountable. “We will pursue justice relentlessly,” Jaishankar posted on social media. This call between two top diplomats instantly became one of the Top 10 News today in South Asia, underlining Washington’s growing concern over regional stability.
Pakistan’s Perspective
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif used his conversation with Rubio to condemn terrorism in all forms but rejected India’s claims linking Pakistan to the Pahalgam attack. According to a statement from the Pakistani government, Sharif called for an “independent, transparent, and neutral” investigation into the attack.
Sharif also expressed concern over India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it a dangerous precedent and warning against “weaponizing water.” He urged the United States to press India to de-escalate tensions and avoid taking further aggressive measures that could trigger a broader conflict. These strong statements continue to dominate the latest news headlines in regional and global media.
India’s Tough Stance and Military Readiness
India, in response to the attack, granted its armed forces “complete operational freedom” to determine the nature, timing, and scope of a possible military response. Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to bring those responsible to justice, stating:
“We will pursue terrorists and their backers to the ends of the Earth. India’s spirit will never be broken by terrorism.”
India also took a series of punitive diplomatic steps, including:
- Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (1960)
- Closure of the Attari border crossing
- Downgrading of diplomatic ties
- Visa cancellations for Pakistani nationals
Rubio’s call to both leaders marks the first major diplomatic step by the US administration since the terror attack. International organizations, including the United Nations, have also expressed deep concern and echoed Washington’s call for peace.
India and Pakistan have fought multiple wars over Kashmir, and every flare-up risks turning into a broader military confrontation. By urging both sides to de-escalate tensions, the US aims to prevent a repeat of past escalations, such as the 2019 Balakot airstrike exchange.
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