WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held separate phone calls with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar this week, emphasizing the need to de-escalate rising tensions in South Asia. The discussions followed Islamabad’s concerns over India’s allegations regarding the Pahalgam incident and broader regional instability.
A US State Department statement revealed Rubio urged both nations to prioritize “constructive dialogue and cooperation” to resolve disputes peacefully. He advised restraint and diplomatic engagement, stressing Washington’s commitment to regional stability. The calls aimed to address escalating friction, including India’s accusations against Pakistan and Islamabad’s push for international mediation on Kashmir and water disputes.
Also read: PM Shehbaz Sharif accuses India of ‘provocations’ in call with US secretary Marco Rubio
Earlier, Rubio had acknowledged Pakistan’s counter-terrorism sacrifices during talks with PM Sharif, while reiterating concerns over India’s “provocative actions.” The diplomatic outreach underscores US efforts to prevent further deterioration in Indo-Pak relations amid renewed military posturing and verbal clashes.
