The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has reached out to both Pakistan and India to de-escalate rising tensions between the two neighboring countries.

He called both Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Sharif expressed his government’s willingness to work with the US administration on matters of mutual interest and urged Washington to use its influence to dissuade India from issuing provocative statements.

During the call, Prime Minister Sharif conveyed Pakistan’s perspective on recent developments in South Asia following the Pahalgam incident.

He reiterated Pakistan’s condemnation of all forms of terrorism and highlighted the country’s sacrifices in the global war on terror, noting the loss of over 90,000 lives and economic damage exceeding $152 billion.

Sharif described India’s growing belligerence as alarming and disappointing, stating that such actions are meant to divert attention from Pakistan’s ongoing counter-terrorism efforts, particularly against groups operating from Afghan soil like Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS), the banned Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).

He strongly rejected India’s attempts to link Pakistan to the Pahalgam incident and called for a transparent, credible, and impartial investigation into the matter.

Moreover, he also emphasized that India’s provocative water-related measures constitute a form of “water aggression,” threatening the lifeline of 240 million Pakistanis.

The Prime Minister underscored that the Indus Waters Treaty does not allow unilateral withdrawal by either party and reiterated that a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is the only way to ensure lasting peace in South Asia.

He noted that both countries can further expand collaboration in counterterrorism, economic development, and the minerals sector.

Sharif also shared that his government has implemented major economic reforms over the past year, which have placed Pakistan on the path to recovery.

US contacts Indian Foreign Minister

Rubio held a telephone conversation with Indian FM Jaishankar, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the Pahalgam attack.

According to US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, Secretary Rubio voiced concern over the escalating tensions in South Asia and urged India to take concrete steps to reduce hostilities by cooperating with Pakistan.

Bruce noted that Rubio appreciated Pakistan’s willingness to assist in the investigation of the Pahalgam incident and expressed hope that Pakistan would fully cooperate with India in this regard.

Rubio emphasized that to avoid misunderstandings, it is essential for both nations to resume direct communication.

Tammy Bruce stated that the US strongly encourages Pakistan and India to resolve their disputes through dialogue and to jointly contribute to peace and security in South Asia.

She added that Secretary Rubio had also discussed the matter with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and conveyed a similar message that dialogue and cooperation are vital to preventing a larger conflict in the region.

Pahalgam attack

India blamed Pakistan for the April 22 attack that killed 26. Pakistan denies responsibility and called for a neutral probe.

After the attack, India suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty that regulates water-sharing from the Indus River and its tributaries, and Pakistan closed airspace to Indian airlines.

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