Washington:
Amid escalating tension between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, the United States has encouraged New Delhi and Islamabad to de-escalate tensions. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday, reaffirming the US’s commitment to cooperate with India against terrorism and urging Pakistan’s cooperation in investigating the “unconscionable” terror attack.
The United States’ top envoy asked the leaders of both nuclear-powered countries to work to de-escalate tensions between them.
During the conversation with Jaishankar, Rubio expressed his sorrow for the lives lost in the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to cooperation with India against terrorism.
He also encouraged India to work with Pakistan to de-escalate tensions and maintain peace and security in South Asia, according to US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce.
Meanwhile, Rubio told the Pakistani Prime Minister to work with India to de-escalate tensions, re-establish direct communications, and maintain peace and security in South Asia, Bruce said.
The US Secretary of State also spoke to Pakistan about the need to condemn the terror attack on April 22 in Pahalgam.
“Both leaders reaffirmed their continued commitment to holding terrorists accountable for their heinous acts of violence. The Secretary urged Pakistani officials’ cooperation in investigating this unconscionable attack,” said Bruce.