U.S. Wants to Bring India and Pakistan to the Table for Peace and Security – Secretary of State

U.S. Wants to Bring India and Pakistan to the Table for Peace and Security – Secretary of State

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday reached out to both Pakistan and India. According to the U.S. State Department, Rubio urged Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to condemn the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, in Indian-administered Kashmir.

The State Department said that Secretary Rubio held phone conversations with officials from both countries on Wednesday, urging them to de-escalate tensions and re-establish bilateral communication.

"Secretary Marco Rubio called on Pakistani authorities to assist in the investigation of this brutal attack."

He also urged Pakistan to work on reducing tensions with India, to reopen direct lines of communication, and to contribute to maintaining peace and security in South Asia.

The State Department added that both nations reaffirmed their commitment to holding the perpetrators of the attack accountable.

"India should move forward together with Pakistan"

Following his conversation with Shehbaz Sharif, Secretary Marco Rubio spoke with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Wednesday.

According to the State Department, Rubio urged India to work with Pakistan to reduce tensions and promote peace and security in the South Asian region.

He expressed condolences for the lives lost in the Pahalgam terrorist attack and reiterated the U.S.’s commitment to cooperating with India in the fight against terrorism.

On Thursday morning, Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar stated on his X (formerly Twitter) handle that he had spoken with the U.S. Secretary of State on Wednesday about the Pahalgam attack.

Jaishankar affirmed that those responsible for the Pahalgam attack—as well as those who supported and planned it—would be brought to justice.