By Kavita Mistry 
Last Updated:
Marco Rubio spoke with Indian and Pakistani leaders, urging cooperation to de-escalate tensions over the Pahalgam attack. He reaffirmed US support for counter-terrorism efforts.
S Jaishankar/Marco Rubio/Shehbaz Sharif (Photo: PTI/AP/PTI)
Days after the US State Department said it was in touch with both India and Pakistan over the escalating tensions between the two nations, Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to cooperation with India against terrorism.
Rubio also spoke with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday and stressed the need to condemn the Pahalgam terror attack.
Rubio also urged Pakistani officials’ cooperation in investigating the “unconscionable attack”.
In a statement, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Rubio expressed his sorrow for the loss of lives in the Pahalgam terror attack and encouraged India to work with Pakistan to “de-escalate tensions” and maintain peace and security in South Asia.
After Rubio’s meeting S Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister, in an X post wrote, “Discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack with US Secretary Rubio yesterday. Its perpetrators, backers and planners must be brought to justice.”
In his call with Shehbaz Sharif, Rubio encouraged Pakistan to work with India to de-escalate tensions, re-establish direct communications, and maintain peace and security in South Asia.
Rubio and Sharif “reaffirmed their continued commitment to holding terrorists accountable for their heinous acts of violence,” according to Bruce.
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Relations between India and Pakistan hit rock bottom after a terror attack in Kashmir’s iconic Pahalgam on April 22 claimed the lives of 26 tourists, 25 of whom were Indians.
Since the Pahalgam attack, there has also been a rise in ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.
In response, India has taken a raft of measures against Pakistan for its support to cross-border terrorism, including holding the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance and closing the Integrated Check Post at Attari.
India has also decided to curtail the strength of High Commissions.
Additionally, the government has given armed forces complete operational freedom to decide on the response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
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