Islamabad, May 1, 2025: Amid rising hostilities following the devastating Pahalgam attack that took 26 innocent lives, the United States has urged both India and Pakistan to reduce tensions and avoid further escalation.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio personally spoke with Indian Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, emphasizing Washington’s dedication to supporting India in its counterterrorism efforts and calling on Pakistan to fully assist in the investigation of the “unthinkable” tragedy in Kashmir.
Secretary Rubio extended his condolences to New Delhi, expressing deep sorrow over the brutal attack and promising continued US-India collaboration against terrorism.
However, he also encouraged New Delhi to approach the situation carefully, especially as accusations circulate that Pakistan-backed groups were behind the violence.
According to State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, Rubio urged India and Pakistan to work together diplomatically to prevent further deterioration of peace in the region.
After his conversation with the US official, Jaishankar posted on X (formerly Twitter), stating that those who plotted, supported, and executed the Pahalgam attack must face justice.
Meanwhile, during his separate conversation with Prime Minister Sharif, Rubio urged Pakistan’s government to issue a clear condemnation of the April 22 attack and to actively participate in a thorough and impartial investigation.
He emphasized the need for Islamabad and New Delhi to restore direct communication lines and maintain regional stability.
Both Indian and Pakistani leaders reaffirmed their shared goal of holding terrorists accountable for their violent acts.
However, the two nuclear-armed nations remain locked in a tense standoff.
The Resistance Front (TRF), a known proxy of the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has claimed responsibility, intensifying India’s demands for accountability.
Pakistan, on the other hand, denies involvement and has called for an independent international investigation.
Publicly, Washington has voiced its support for India, with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance strongly condemning the attack.
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Yet, the US has stopped short of openly criticizing Pakistan, reflecting its complex ties with both nations. India, seen as a crucial US partner in countering China’s growing influence, has already taken drastic measures — suspending the historic Indus Waters Treaty, canceling visas for Pakistani nationals, and closing the Wagah-Attari border.
In response, Pakistan has shut its airspace to Indian flights and warned of potential military action, as tensions between these longtime rivals continue to intensify.
