Diplomatic Tightrope: Rubio's Call for Peace Amid India-Pakistan Tensions

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called for de-escalation amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, speaking directly with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The U.S. State Department confirmed Rubio's calls come as fears grow over the conflict possibly escalating after India struck targets it identified as 'terrorist infrastructure' within Pakistan's borders. This followed a deadly attack in Kashmir that India attributes to Pakistan. Reports of new explosions in Jammu, attributed to a suspected Pakistani drone attack, further intensified the situation.

Rubio stressed the importance of direct dialogue and improvement of communications between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. Offering condolences for civilian casualties, he urged Pakistan to cease support for terrorist factions. President Donald Trump has expressed a desire for resolution but has not formally offered U.S. mediation.

(With inputs from agencies.)