Rubio urges India, Pakistan to de-escalate after Pahalgam attack
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on India and Pakistan to reduce tensions and maintain peace in South Asia following the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during the Declaration of Principles signing ceremony with Congo's Foreign Minister, April 25, 2025, at the State Department in Washington. (AP)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday spoke separately with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging both nations to work toward de-escalating tensions in the wake of the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
In a statement, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said that Rubio extended condolences for the lives lost in the attack and reaffirmed Washington's commitment to cooperation with India in combating terrorism.
"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," Bruce stated.
Washington stresses need for India-Pakistan dialogue
According to RIA Novosti, Rubio also discussed the incident with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. According to a separate statement from the State Department, Rubio emphasized the importance of publicly condemning the Pahalgam attack and cooperating with investigations.
"Both leaders reaffirmed their continued commitment to holding terrorists accountable for their heinous acts of violence. The Secretary urged Pakistani officials' cooperation in investigating this unconscionable attack," the statement read.
The US Secretary also encouraged Pakistan to re-establish direct communication with India as a means of maintaining regional stability and preventing further escalation.
The statements mark a renewed push from Washington for constructive engagement between New Delhi and Islamabad at a time of heightened regional concern.
Pakistan accuses India of planning 'military strike' soon
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar warned early Wednesday that Islamabad has "credible intelligence" suggesting India is planning an imminent military strike within the next 24 to 36 hours.
Tarar accused New Delhi of using last week's deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir as a "pretext" for military action. “Pakistan has credible intelligence that India intends carrying out military action against Pakistan in the next 24-36 hours on the pretext of baseless and concocted allegations of involvement in the Pahalgam incident,” he wrote on X.
He added that Pakistan is open to a “credible, transparent and independent investigation by a neutral commission” into the attack, which killed 26 tourists near the town of Pahalgam. “Pakistan reiterates that any such military adventurism by India would be responded to assuredly and decisively,” he said.
Pakistan has credible intelligence that India intends carrying out military action against Pakistan in the next 24-36 hours on the pretext of baseless and concocted allegations of involvement in the Pahalgam incident.
— Attaullah Tarar (@TararAttaullah) April 29, 2025
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