- By Ajeet Kumar
- Thu, 01 May 2025 07:59 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
New Delhi: Amid soaring uncertainty between India and Pakistan, the Trump administration has communicated with both sides and urged to de-escalate tension. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio dialled External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif separately on Wednesday over the rising tension between the two nuclear-armed countries and urged them to de-escalate tensions, re-establish direct communications, and maintain peace and security in South Asia.
India-Pakistan tensions after Pahalgam attack
Tensions have escalated between India and Pakistan after terrorists opened fire near Kashmir's Pahalgam town on April 22, killing 26 people, mostly tourists, in what is the deadliest attack in the Valley since the Pulwama strike in 2019. India downgraded diplomatic ties with Pakistan and announced a raft of measures, including expulsion of Pakistani military attaches, suspension of the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 and immediate shutting down of the Attari land-transit post in view of the cross-border links to the Pahalgam terror attack.
What Rubio told Jaishankar
While speaking to his Indian counterpart, 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 New Delhi to work with Pakistan to de-escalate tensions and maintain peace and security in South Asia.
Soon after the talks, Jaishankar took to social media and wrote, "Discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack with US @SecRubio yesterday. Its perpetrators, backers and planners must be brought to justice."
Discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack with US @SecRubio yesterday. Its perpetrators, backers and planners must be brought to justice.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 1, 2025
Wednesday's calls mark the highest levels of publicly known simultaneous diplomatic engagements from Washington aimed at reducing India-Pakistan tensions since the April 22 attack.
Rubio calls Shehbaz Sharif to condem and cooperate in Pahalgam terror attack case
State Department statements after the calls termed the Kashmir attack as "terror" and "unconscionable," and said Rubio spoke to Pakistan "of the need to condemn" it. Rubio "urged Pakistani officials' cooperation in investigating this unconscionable attack," the State Department said. Sharif's office said he asked Rubio to urge India "to dial down the rhetoric." Rubio urged the Asian nuclear-armed neighbours to work with each other "to de-escalate tensions, re-establish direct communications, and maintain peace."
Washington urged other countries to help reduce tensions while asking India and Pakistan to work on a "responsible solution." Washington has condemned the attack without criticising Pakistan.
"Today, Secretary Marco Rubio spoke with Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. The Secretary spoke of 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," read the statement of the US Statement related to Rubio's conversation with PM Sharif.
"The Secretary urged Pakistani officials’ cooperation in investigating this unconscionable attack. He also encouraged Pakistan to work with India to de-escalate tensions, re-establish direct communications, and maintain peace and security in South Asia," it added.
(With inputs from agencies)