Washington:
The United States has encouraged New Delhi and Islamabad to increase tension, amidst increasing tension between India and Pakistan after the Pahgam terror attack, 26, which claims 26 lives. US State Secretary Marco Rubio spoke with Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Wednesday, confirming the US commitment to cooperate with India against terrorism and in the investigation of the “unconscious” attack in Kashmir with the cooperation of Pakistan.
The United States top envoy asked the leaders of both nuclear-managed neighbors to work to increase tension between them.
During a call with Jaishankar, Rubio voiced solidarity with New Delhi and expressed his grief for a lost life in the horrific terrorist attack in Pahgam. According to US State Department spokesman Tami Bruce, he confirmed the United States commitment to cooperate with India against terrorism, but also encouraged caution as India accused of supporting the attack on Pakistan and calling for vengeance.
Rubio encouraged India to work with Pakistan and to work with Pakistan to maintain peace and security in South Asia.
Calling with Prime Minister Sharif, Rubio asked Pakistan to condemn the attack in Kashmir on 22 April and cooperate in an investigation. Bruce said that the US State Secretary urged to investigate this unconscious attack with the help of Pakistani officials.
Rubio asked the Pakistani Prime Minister to work with India to re -establish stress, re -establish direct communication, and maintain peace and security in South Asia.
Bruce said, “The two leaders confirmed their constant commitment to make the terrorists accountable to the heinous acts of violence. The Secretary urged the secretary to cooperate in the investigation of this unconscious attack of Pakistani officials,” Bruce said.
Pahalgam attack and American response
India claimed responsibility for the attack after a proxy resistance front (TRF) of Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Tabiba (LET), claiming responsibility for this.
Meanwhile, Pakistan denied responsibility and called for a neutral investigation.
Publicly, Washington expressed support for India after the attack by President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, but has not criticized Pakistan. India is a rapidly important American partner as Washington aims to compete with China’s growing influence, meanwhile, Pakistan remains an ally of Washington, even its importance was reduced after the US return of 2021 from the 2021 neighboring Afghanistan.
After the Pahgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed, India has taken a part of measures downgrating diplomatic relations with Pakistan. As intelligence reports allegedly put Pakistan-based groups behind the initiative attack, New Delhi has suspended the 1960 Indus Water Treaty-a historic first-one-and canceled all the visas issued to Pakistani citizens. The Vagah-Atari border has also been closed amidst a stressful relationship between the two nuclear powers.
In vengeance, Pakistan meanwhile closed its airspace for Indian Airlines and also exchanged fire on its real border. Pakistan’s Defense Minister has said that a military infiltration by India was imminent.
