USA (Commonwealth Union)_ The United States has initiated a diplomatic outreach to both India and Pakistan amid escalating tensions following a deadly attack in Indian administered Jammu and Kashmir. The incident, which occurred on April 22 in Pahalgam, claimed the lives of 26 people, including Indian navy personnel and civilians, further straining the already tense relationship between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. A spokesperson from the US State Department told that Washington is monitoring developments closely and has been engaging with officials from both governments at multiple levels in a bid to prevent further deterioration. The spokesperson reiterated that the United States stands with India and strongly condemns the terrorist attack, while also urging both sides to pursue a responsible solution.
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The US diplomatic initiative is being led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is expected to hold direct talks with the foreign ministers of both India and Pakistan on Wednesday. According to State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, these discussions will emphasize the need for restraint, open dialogue, and de-escalation. “Secretary Rubio believes diplomacy must take the lead,” Bruce told reporters during a press briefing. “We are reaching out to both parties and urging them not to escalate the situation.” The attack has reignited hostilities between the two countries, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowing a strong response. In a closed-door meeting with military and security chiefs, Modi reportedly granted the armed forces complete operational freedom to determine the timing and method of any retaliatory action.
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Pakistan has denied any involvement in the Pahalgam incident and has called for a neutral, transparent investigation. Islamabad maintains that accusations from New Delhi are unsubstantiated and politically motivated. Meanwhile, international stakeholders have begun voicing concern. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres held separate conversations with Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, urging restraint and dialogue. Other nations, including China, Türkiye, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, have also appealed for calm. Iran has offered to mediate, while Saudi Arabia said it is working to prevent an escalation.
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Although US President Donald Trump downplayed the severity of the situation during a press appearance, suggesting the Kashmir conflict is over 1,000 years old and that both sides will figure it out, US officials have however stressed ongoing efforts to manage the crisis. “We’re taking daily actions in this case,” Bruce noted, adding that Washington expects a positive impact from Rubio’s engagement in the coming days. While reaffirming the US commitment to peace in South Asia, the State Department refrained from commenting directly on Indian allegations or Pakistan’s proposed investigation. It did, however, acknowledge ongoing cooperation with Pakistan, including its recent assistance in the arrest of a Daesh suspect.
Despite these efforts, experts warn of significant challenges. Michael Kugelman, a South Asia specialist in Washington, noted that while the US maintains ties with both nations, India is now a much closer partner. He cautioned that the situation may lead Islamabad to fear limited diplomatic restraint if India chooses to respond militarily. Former Pakistani ambassador to Washington, Hussain Haqqani, expressed skepticism about US involvement, suggesting, “This time there is no US interest in calming things down.” As the region braces for potential fallout, all eyes remain on Secretary Rubio’s scheduled talks, a critical diplomatic effort to defuse one of the most serious escalations in recent India-Pakistan relations.
