Amid escalating tensions between Pakistan and India, the United States has urged both nuclear-powered nations to step back and pursue dialogue to ease the situation. US State Department Secretary Marco Rubio emphasized the need for de-escalation during discussions with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
Secretary Rubio expressed deep concern over the rising conflict and the loss of civilian lives. He reiterated the importance of open communication between the two nations to restore stability in the region. During these calls, he also encouraged Pakistan to take definitive action to curb any support to terrorist groups, while offering condolences for the lives impacted by the ongoing clashes.
Prime Minister Sharif condemned India’s missile and drone assaults that resulted in the deaths of 31 civilians, injuries to 57, and damage to infrastructure. He highlighted that these actions violated Pakistan’s sovereignty and threatened peace across South Asia. Stressing Pakistan’s right to self-defense under international law, the Prime Minister warned that these confrontations could have broader consequences for the global community.
The US continued to advocate for peace, with Secretary Rubio extending similar messages to India’s Foreign Minister. He remarked on the need for both nations to cooperate and prevent further escalation, reinforcing the US’s interest in a peaceful and stable South Asian region.
The matter was also discussed in a high-level meeting in Islamabad, attended by senior political and military leaders. Concerns were raised about misinformation being spread to manipulate narratives, with calls to keep the global audience informed about the ground realities.
