US secretary speaks with Jaishankar, Pakistan PM Sharif; urges de-escalation of tensions | India Information

NEW DELHI: US Secretary of State Rubio spoke with exterior affairs minister S Jaishankar and Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif on late Wednesday, urging them to “de-escalate tensions” between the 2 nations. He requested Sharif to sentence the Pahalgama assault that has soured the relations between the 2 nations.
“Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Indian external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar today. The Secretary 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 India to work with Pakistan to de-escalate tensions and maintain peace and security in South Asia,” US state division spokesperson Tammy Bruce mentioned.
Throughout his dialog with Sharif, Rubio emphasised the significance of condemning the April 22 Pahalgam terror assault and referred to as on Pakistani authorities to cooperate totally within the investigation of what he described as a “this unconscionable attack.”
He additional urged Pakistan to interact with India in efforts to de-escalate tensions, restore direct communication channels, and uphold regional peace and stability in South Asia.
Nevertheless, Sharif accused India of participating in “escalatory and provocative behavior,” in accordance with an announcement from Islamabad.
“India’s provocations would only serve to distract Pakistan from its ongoing efforts to defeat terrorism, particularly from militant groups,” Sharif mentioned, in accordance with the assertion launched by his workplace.
Within the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror assault, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians—largely vacationers—and left many injured, ceasefire violations by Pakistan alongside the Line of Management (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir have seen a pointy uptick. The assault, carried out by Pakistan-backed terrorists, has triggered a collection of sturdy countermeasures from India.
In response, authorities has taken a number of diplomatic and strategic steps, together with suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, shutting down the Built-in Verify Submit at Attari, and shifting to scale back the energy of excessive commissions. Moreover, the armed forces have been granted full operational freedom to find out the character and timing of an acceptable response.