Rubio dials Pakistan PM Shehbaz amid India-Pakistan standoff over Pahalgam assault, prone to name Jaishankar

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a telephone name with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday, as tensions escalate between India and Pakistan following a latest Pahalgam terror assault.

Based on media stories, he’s additionally prone to name Exterior Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistan International Minister Ishaq Dar.

Throughout the name, Sharif accused India of participating in “escalatory and provocative habits,” amid rising considerations over a possible flare-up between the 2 nuclear-armed neighbors.

“India’s provocations would solely serve to distract Pakistan from its ongoing efforts to defeat terrorism, notably from militant teams,” AFP quoted Sharif as saying, in response to the assertion launched by his workplace.

On Sunday, Washington stated it was in contact with the nuclear-armed Asian neighbors at a number of ranges whereas urging them to work in the direction of what it referred to as a “accountable answer.”

“We’re reaching out to each events, and telling, in fact, them to not escalate the state of affairs,” a State Division spokesperson advised reporters on Sunday, quoting a press release by Rubio.

The State Division had additionally stated Rubio would to talk to the international ministers of India and Pakistan on Tuesday or Wednesday and inspired different international ministers to do the identical.

In public, Washington expressed help for India after the assault that was condemned by President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, nevertheless it has not criticised Pakistan.

India blamed Pakistan for the Pahalgam terror assault that killed 26. Pakistan denies accountability and referred to as for a impartial probe.

India is an more and more vital US companion as Washington goals to counter China’s rising affect. Pakistan stays Washington’s ally whilst its significance diminished after the 2021 US withdrawal from neighboring Afghanistan.

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

In addition they exchanged hearth throughout their de facto border.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to punish the attackers. Pakistan’s defence minister has stated a army incursion by India was imminent.

With inputs from companies