Washington/New Delhi, May 1 (UNI) Amid growing war hysteria between India and Pakistan, the US has urged both the nations to de-escalate the tensions while specifically asking Islamabad to cooperate in the probe into the “unconscionable attack” in Pahalgam even as New Delhi insisted that those responsible for the carnage “must be brought to justice”.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made telephonic calls to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif within a span of few hours last night amidst speculation that the two countries could be headed for a war over the terror attack in which 26 tourists were killed on April 22.
In his conversation with Jaishankar, Rubio “expressed his sorrow for the lives lost in the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam, and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to cooperation with India against terrorism”, said the US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce.
“He also encouraged India to work with Pakistan to de-escalate tensions and maintain peace and security in South Asia,” Bruce added.
Jaishankar, in his post on X handle, said: “Discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack with US @SecRubio yesterday. Its perpetrators, backers and planners must be brought to justice.”
Rubio, during his telephonic call with the Pakistan Prime Minister, “spoke of the need to condemn the terror attack on April 22 in Pahalgam,” according to Bruce.
The State Department spokesman said both leaders “reaffirmed their continued commitment to holding terrorists accountable for their heinous acts of violence.”
“The Secretary urged Pakistani officials’ cooperation in investigating this unconscionable attack.”
This assumes significance since India has said the Pahalgam terror attack has linkages across the border, which Pakistan has been denying.
“He (Rubio) also encouraged Pakistan to work with India to de-escalate tensions, re-establish direct communications, and maintain peace and security in South Asia,” the State Department spokesman said.
The Pahalgam terror attack has evoked a massive outrage in India, with calls for ‘justice’ and ‘revenge.’
Sensitive about the public mood, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised that the perpetrators of the attack, their handlers and backers will be punished beyond anybody’s “imagination”.
It remains to be seen as to how the “punishment” promised by Prime Minister Modi would be meted out but speculation is rife that there could be some major military action.
In non-military action, India has already suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), shut down airspace for Pakistani airlines, closed the Wagah-Attari border transition point and massively downsized diplomatic ties with Pakistan.
Pakistan has also reciprocated with certain similar decisions, like suspending the 1972 Simla Agreement and scaling down the diplomatic staff in Delhi.
