- By Ajeet Kumar
- Fri, 09 May 2025 11:19 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in constant contact with the leaders of both India and Pakistan, the White House said on Friday, as tensions continue to escalate between the two neighbouring countries. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, speaking to reporters at a briefing reiterated that US President Donald Trump wants to see the conflict de-escalate.
"He understands these two countries have been at odds with one another for decades, long before President Trump was here at the Oval Office. However, he has good relations with the leaders of both countries. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been in constant communication with the leaders of both countries, trying to bring this conflict to an end," she added.
#WATCH | Washington, DC | On US efforts to mediate in the India-Pakistan conflict, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says, "This is something that the Secretary of State and now our NSA as well, Marco Rubio, has been involved in. The President has expressed that he… pic.twitter.com/NL55jSFyIM
— ANI (@ANI) May 9, 2025
Operation Sindoor
The comments by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt came as military action between India and Pakistan intensified following India's strike on nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir(PoK) under ‘Operation Sindoor' early Wednesday. India's strike was a powerful retaliation to the Pahalgam massacre on April 22, in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed.
Rubio-Jaishankar talks
On Thursday, Rubio spoke separately with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, emphasising the need for de-escalation and reiterated his calls for Pakistan to take concrete steps to end any support for terrorist groups. During his call, Jaishankar conveyed to Rubio that India will firmly counter any attempts by Pakistan to escalate the situation.
Earlier, Trump on Wednesday said he wants India and Pakistan to "stop" the conflict, saying if he can do anything to "help", he will be there. "Oh it's so terrible. My position is I get along with both. I know both very well and I want to see them work it out. I want to see them stop, and hopefully they can stop now. They have gone tit for tat, so hopefully they can stop now. I know both, we get along with both countries very well.
"Good relationships with both and I want to see it stop. And If I can do anything to help, I will be there,” Trump said in response to a question on the “war” between India and Pakistan.
(With inputs from agencies)