The United States has reiterated its concern regarding Pakistan's support for terrorist groups, amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. This comes after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 civilians were killed.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has spoken separately with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, emphasizing the need for de-escalation and calling on Pakistan to take concrete steps to end support for terrorist groups.
US stance and Condemnation of Terrorism
The US has strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Secretary Rubio conveyed his condolences to Jaishankar and reaffirmed the United States' commitment to working with India in the fight against terrorism. The US has maintained robust communication with India, expressing overwhelming support for India's fight against terrorism.
Call for De-escalation and Dialogue
The US is urging both India and Pakistan to de-escalate the situation and has backed direct dialogue between the two sides to improve communication. Secretary Rubio expressed US support for direct dialogue between India and Pakistan and encouraged continued efforts to improve communications. Tammy Bruce, US State Department Spokesperson, emphasized the need for open communication to prevent the crisis from escalating into a larger regional conflict.
Pakistan's Response and US Concerns
During his call with Secretary Rubio, Prime Minister Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan's resolve to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. He also stated that India's attacks had violated Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, gravely jeopardizing peace and stability in the South Asia region. The US has expressed sorrow for the reported loss of civilian lives in the current conflict. Despite Pakistan's commitment to fight terrorism, the US has consistently voiced concerns about Pakistan's links to militant groups operating in the region.
Broader Implications
The US has been monitoring the situation in South Asia for decades and consistently advocated for dialogue between India and Pakistan. The US President Donald Trump has offered to mediate between India and Pakistan. China has tacitly backed Pakistan, highlighting the wider geopolitical stakes of the tensions. The US and India have deepened security ties in recent years, partly to counter China's growing influence.
The US is trying to ensure that tensions between India and Pakistan do not escalate into a broader conflict. The US has urged Pakistan to reiterate its offer to support any investigation into the Pahalgam incident. The US has also conveyed to Pakistan its bilateral intention to increase communication on terrorism.
