ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held important phone conversations with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, stressing the urgent need to reduce South Asia tensions and maintain peace in the region.
During his call with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Pakistani leader briefed the US Secretary of State on recent developments in South Asia, expressing deep concern over India’s increasingly aggressive behaviour. Sharif strongly condemned all forms of terrorism and emphasised Pakistan’s critical role in the global war against terror.
The prime minister highlighted that Pakistan has sacrificed over 90,000 lives and suffered economic losses exceeding $152 billion in its fight against terrorism. He called India’s recent actions highly provocative, saying they are aimed at diverting attention from Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts.
Shehbaz Sharif rejected India’s attempt to link Pakistan with the recent Pahalgam incident and reiterated the demand for an impartial investigation into the matter. He also urged the United States to press India to refrain from issuing inflammatory statements that further escalate South Asia tensions.
The prime minister raised serious concern over India’s so-called “water aggression”, stating that water is a lifeline for Pakistan’s 240 million citizens. He insisted no clause in the Indus Waters Treaty allows unilateral withdrawal, describing India’s actions as unacceptable.
Sharif also reaffirmed that a peaceful resolution to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is essential for lasting peace in the region.
Following the call, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce issued a statement, saying the US Secretary of State had stressed the importance of condemning the April 22 Pahalgam attack. Both leaders agreed that those responsible for the violence must be brought to justice.
US Secretary of State encouraged Pakistan to support investigations into the Pahalgam incident and work towards reducing South Asia tensions through direct communication and cooperation with India. He emphasised the need to uphold peace and security across the region.
Later, Rubio also spoke with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar. He urged India to collaborate with Pakistan to de-escalate rising South Asia tensions and expressed sorrow over the lives lost in the Pahalgam attack.
During the conversation, the US Secretary of State reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to supporting India in the fight against terrorism. The State Department spokesperson confirmed that both sides discussed continued cooperation and efforts to maintain regional stability.
These diplomatic efforts signal a strong push by Washington to ease South Asia tensions and encourage peaceful engagement between the two nuclear neighbours.
