U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will soon hold talks with his counterparts in India and Pakistan to address escalating tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors following a deadly attack in India-occupied Kashmir, the U.S. State Department confirmed Tuesday.
The April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, killed 26 civilians and injured dozens more, prompting India to accuse Pakistan of supporting cross-border militancy. In response, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty—a critical river-sharing pact—and revoked visas for Pakistani nationals, while Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian flights .
Rubio’s planned engagement aims to de-escalate hostilities as fears of military confrontation grow. Pakistan Defense Minister Khawaja Asif warned of an “imminent” Indian incursion and emphasized that Pakistan would only use nuclear weapons if its “existence [is] threatened” . The U.S. has urged restraint, with State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce reiterating.
The crisis has drawn global concern, with China and Gulf states reportedly mediating behind the scenes.
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According to Reuters report, Rubio’s outreach reflects Washington’s efforts to stabilize South Asia amid heightened risks of conflict. The talks follow recent U.S.-India discussions on trade tariffs and a separate U.S.-Pakistan dialogue on counter-terrorism and critical minerals .
