Islamabad (TDI): The United States on Wednesday stepped in to help defuse a tense standoff between Pakistan and India, urging both sides to cooperate with each other in order to de-escalate tensions and maintain peace and security in South Asia.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio initiated separate telephone calls with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and discussed the recent situation in the region, following the Pahalgam incident.
According to an official handout in Islamabad, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif apprised Rubio of Islamabad’s perspective regarding the recent developments and urged Washington to impress upon New Delhi to dial down the rhetoric and act responsibly.
Since last week, tensions have escalated between Islamabad and New Delhi after the latter’s baseless accusations against Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) that killed 26 tourists.
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On Wednesday, India announced punitive steps, including downgrading of diplomatic relations, suspension of Indus Waters Treaty, expulsion of the Pakistani nationals, and closure of the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi and the Wagah-Attari border crossing.
Pakistan also gave a matching response, and closed the country’s airspace for Indian airlines. Islamabad warned that any attempt by New Delhi to stop the flow of water to Pakistan would be deemed as an act of war, and would get a befitting reply.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also offered Pakistan’s cooperation to India in holding a transparent probe into the Pahalgam incident. Islamabad has also expressed concerned over the attack and offered condolences to the victims’ families.
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In Washington, State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated that Secretary Rubio called on Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to condemn the Pahalgam attack and cooperate in a probe, while also encouraging New Delhi to de-escalate.
The secretary urged Pakistani officials’ cooperation in probing the Pahalgam attack”, she added in a statement.
It is to be noted that Pakistan has already offered a transparent investigation to the Pahalgam incident, however it did not receive a positive response from Indian government which is implying jingoistic tactics.
In a separate phone call with Jaishankar, Rubio expressed his sorrow for the lives lost in the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, and reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to cooperation with New Delhi against terrorism, Bruce said.
“He also encouraged New Delhi to work with Islamabad to de-escalate tensions and maintain peace and security in South Asia.”
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
