America’s top diplomat Marco Rubio Thursday called upon India and Pakistan to immediately de-escalate their standoff that has spiraled into aerial attacks on cities and heavy shelling across the Line of Control in the disputed Kashmir region.
Secretary of State Rubio had telephonic conversations with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
“The Secretary emphasized the need for immediate de-escalation,” the State Department said in separate readouts of the conversations.
Rubio “expressed U.S. support for direct dialogue between India and Pakistan and encouraged continued efforts to improve communications.”
President Donald Trump also asked the two countries on Wednesday to step back from the escalating confrontation, which has pushed South Asia to the brink of a war between the two nuclear powers.
In his call with Pakistani leader, Rubio “expressed sorrow for the reported loss of civilian lives in the current conflict.”
“He reiterated his calls for Pakistan to take concrete steps to end any support for terrorist groups,” he said in call with Prime Minister Sharif as Pakistan reported more than 30 deaths in Indian aerial attacks on Thursday.
The clashes began with India launching strikes on Pakistani cities and Kashmir, under Pakistan control, Wednesday night.
Islamabad said it shot down Indian warplanes include French high-tech Rafale jets.
The tensions between the two countries rocketed with April 22 terror attack in Pahalagam on the Indian side of Kashmir, which killed 26 people. New Delhi immediately blamed a Pakistani link to the attack.
Islamabad rejected the charge and said it was open to a neutral and transparent investigation into the incident.
But with Indian strikes Wednesday night the situation escalated dangerously, raising fears of an all-out war.
In his conversation with Indian Minister Jaishankar, Rubio “reiterated his condolences for the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to work with India in the fight against terrorism.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Prime Minister told Rubio Islamabd is determined to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity and stressed that Pakistan reserved the right to act in self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
According to a statement released by the Prime Minister House Sharif also appreciated President Trump’s concern over the current security situation in South Asia.
