WASHINGTON: The United States has urged India and Pakistan to lower regional tensions and has reaffirmed its support for collaborative efforts to combat terrorism in South Asia.
According to the media reports, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio engaged in separate discussions on Wednesday with India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
In his conversation with Jaishankar, Rubio expressed his condolences for the victims of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, primarily tourists.
He emphasized the United States’ commitment to partnering with India to fight terrorism and encouraged India to work with Pakistan to de-escalate conflicts and promote regional stability, as stated by State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce.
During his talk with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Rubio highlighted the importance of condemning the April 22 attack and called for Pakistan’s cooperation in the investigation. He urged Pakistan to engage constructively with India, restore direct communication channels, and support efforts to stabilize peace and security in the region.
Both leaders reaffirmed their dedication to holding terrorists accountable for their violent acts.
The U.S. continues to call for increased regional collaboration to prevent future attacks and maintain peace in South Asia.
