US Foreign Minister dials Jaishankar, Shehbaz Sharif: India, Pak should de-escalate tensions
PTC News Desk: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with US counterpart Marco Rubio on Wednesday and discussed the recent terrorist attack that took place in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has asked Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to condemn the "unconscionable" Pahalgam Terror Attack and "de-escalate tensions" with India to "maintain peace and security" in South Asia.
In his talks, Rubio also encouraged Pakistan to cooperate with investigation efforts and reestablish direct communications with India, according to a statement from US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce.
Both leaders reaffirmed their continued commitment to holding terrorists accountable for their heinous acts of violence, Bruce said.
Both India and Pakistan have also blocked each other's airlines from using their airspace.
India has also taken a raft of measures against Pakistan for its support to cross-border terrorism, including holding the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance and closing the Integrated Check Post at Attari. India has also decided to curtail the strength of High Commissions. The government has given armed forces complete operational freedom to decide on the response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
The Indian Army has effectively responded to the Pakistan Army's unprovoked small arms firing across the LoC.
- With inputs from agencies
