- By Ajeet Kumar
- Thu, 01 May 2025 04:17 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Pakistani Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh has approached US President Donald Trump to help in deescalating tensions with India that remained at a zenith position since the Pahalgam terrorist attack, Newsweek reported. In an interview with Newsweek, Sheikh called on the US President with optimisim and expressed hope that the US President could ease tensions between the two nuclear-armed nations that erupted post-Pahalgam terrorist attack. The Pakistani envoy termed President Trump a"peacemaker" and said the US President has established a legacy that can help in finishing wars. Ironically, Trump had promised to end the Russia-Ukraine war within 24 hours of returning to the White House, the war is yet to be over.
"If we have a president who is standing for peace in the world as a pronounced objective during this administration, to establish a legacy as a peacemaker, or as someone who finished wars, defied wars and played a role in de-confliction, resolving the disputes, I don't think there is any higher or flashier flash point, particularly in nuclear terms, as Kashmir. We are not talking about one or two countries in that neighbourhood that are nuclear capable. So, that is how grave it is," Sheikh said in an interview with Newsweek.
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.
Rubio calls Shehbaz Sharif to condem and cooperate in Pahalgam terror attack case
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 communication, and maintain peace and security in South Asia.
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."
US asks Pakistan PM to calm down
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.