U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with both Pakistan and India on Saturday to urge de-escalation after Islamabad retaliated against Indian aggression with missile strikes and drone attacks on 26 military installations across the Line of Control.
According to the State Department, Rubio spoke with Pakistan Army chief Gen. Asim Munir and urged both countries to find ways to de-escalate. It said the secretary of state had offered U.S. assistance in starting constructive talks in order to avoid future conflicts. Rubio also spoke with Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and reiterated the need to de-escalate. He also stressed on both parties finding ways to re-establish direct communication to avoid miscalculation and reiterated an offer for U.S. aid to initiate constructive talks.
In his conversation with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Rubio similarly emphasized that both sides need to identify methods to de-escalate and re-establish direct communication to avoid miscalculation. “He further proposed U.S. support in facilitating productive discussions to avert future disputes,” read a statement issued by the State Department.
Following Rubio’s talk with both Pakistan and India, both countries’ officials stressed that they were committed to de-escalation—provided it was reciprocated by the neighboring nation.
Earlier on Friday, the Group of Seven nations had the neighboring countries to immediately de-escalate rising military tensions and engage in direct dialogue. “We urge maximum restraint from both India and Pakistan,” read a statement from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. It warned that “further military escalation poses a serious threat to regional stability.”
Calling for a “swift and lasting diplomatic resolution,” the G7 emphasized that peace in South Asia is vital for global security.