KEY POINTS
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will speak with both foreign ministers
- Rubio stresses diplomacy must take the lead
- The US has urged both nations to show restraint and avoid escalation
- Rubio has called on other foreign ministers to support peace efforts in South Asia
- Saudi Arabia also urged both countries to de-escalate and resolve issues diplomatically
- Pakistan offers a neutral and independent probe into Pahalgam incident
- US appreciates Pakistan’s counterterror cooperation, including in a Daesh-related arrest
WASHINGTON: Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam incident, the United States has stepped in diplomatically, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio set to speak with the foreign ministers of both countries within the next 24 hours to urge restraint and avoid further escalation.
“We are reaching out to both parties, and telling, of course, them to not escalate the situation,” US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters during a press briefing.
According to Bruce, Secretary Rubio is expected to hold direct conversations with both Pakistani and Indian foreign ministers on Wednesday, emphasising the importance of restraint and open dialogue.
“Secretary Rubio believes diplomacy must take the lead,” the spokesperson added, noting that he has also encouraged “other foreign ministers around the world to do the same” and support efforts to maintain regional stability.
The diplomatic initiative comes as bilateral relations between Pakistan and India deteriorate following the April 22 Pahalgam incident, in which 26 people were reportedly killed.
India has attempted to link Pakistan to the attack without providing verifiable evidence. Pakistan has firmly denied the allegations and has offered to participate in a neutral and transparent international investigation.
While the State Department stopped short of commenting on the specific allegations, the spokesperson reiterated the US position: “We are watching the situation closely and remain in direct contact with both governments.”
When asked about recent collaboration following Pakistan’s facilitation in the arrest of a Daesh suspect, Bruce acknowledged Pakistan’s cooperation, saying: “We appreciated that arrest when it occurred.”
UN chief urges Pakistan, India to avoid confrontation
Earlier on Tuesday, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for peace in South Asia and said that the world could not afford any escalation in the region at a crucial time.
According to a readout issued by the UN Secretary-General spokesman Stéphane Dujarric, the UN chief, in his separate telephone conversations with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, condemned the 22 April attack in Pahalgam.
Guterres stressed the need for justice and accountability to be pursued strictly through lawful and transparent means, underlining the importance of preventing any further escalation.
Expressing grave concern over the rising tensions between India and Pakistan, the UN Secretary-General emphasised the urgency of avoiding a confrontation that could have dire consequences for the region and beyond.
Recalling the UN’s long-standing commitment to regional peace and stability, he offered his Good Offices to support de-escalation efforts and encouraged both parties to exercise maximum restraint in the interest of regional and global peace.
China urges restraint
Earlier, China urged both India and Pakistan to “exercise restraint” and “properly handle relevant differences through dialogue and consultation,” according to Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun.
Guo reaffirmed China’s support for a fair investigation into the Pahalgam attack and stressed the importance of peaceful coexistence for regional stability.
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during a phone call with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, reiterated Beijing’s consistent support for Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts and its legitimate security concerns.
Saudi Arabia voices concern over South Asia tensions
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday expressed concern over the heightened tensions between Pakistan and India after the Pahalgam incident.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its concern regarding the escalating tension between the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan,” the ministry said in a statement on X.
#بيان | تُعرب المملكة العربية السعودية عن قلقها بشأن التوتر المتصاعد بين كل من جمهورية الهند وجمهورية باكستان الإسلامية pic.twitter.com/f3HQlgTJ8i
— وزارة الخارجية
(@KSAMOFA) April 30, 2025
The Kingdom urged both nations to de-escalate, avoid further escalation, and resolve their disagreements through diplomatic channels.
ALSO READ: Saudi Arabia Voices Concern Over India-Pakistan Escalation
The ministry asked the two countries to uphold the principles of good neighbourliness and strive for stability and peace for the welfare of their people and region.
Pakistan warns of befitting response to any Indian misadventures
Earlier on Tuesday late night, Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar reiterated that any military adventurism by India would be responded to assuredly and decisively.
In a video statement, the minister said Pakistan has credible intelligence that India intends to carry out military action against Pakistan in the next 24-36 hours on the pretext of baseless and concocted allegations of involvement in the Pahalgam incident.
He said the Indian self-assumed hubristic role of Judge, Jury and Executioner in the region is reckless and vehemently rejected.
He said Pakistan has been the victim of terrorism itself and truly understands the pain of this scourge.
We have always condemned it in all its forms and manifestations anywhere in the world.
The Information Minister said being a responsible state, Pakistan open-heartedly offered a credible, transparent and independent investigation by a neutral commission of experts to ascertain the truth.
Unfortunately, rather than pursuing the path of reason, India has apparently decided to tread the dangerous path of irrationality and confrontation, which will have catastrophic consequences for the complete region and beyond.
Attaullah Tarar said evasion of credible investigations is in itself sufficient evidence exposing India’s real motives. Consciously making strategic decisions hostage to public sentiments, purposefully trumped up for securing political objectives, is unfortunate and deplorable.
Pakistan PM briefs UN chief on tensions with India
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday held a telephone conversation with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, during which he firmly rejected Indian allegations linking Pakistan to the Pahalgam incident and warned of serious consequences in the event of any Indian misadventure.
During the telephone call, PM Shehbaz and the UN chief discussed the recent developments in South Asia.
The Prime Minister affirmed that Pakistan condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, while highlighting the significant sacrifices rendered by the country in the global war against terror.
While rejecting Indian accusations against Pakistan as baseless, PM Shehbaz categorically rejected any attempt to link Pakistan with the Pahalgam incident and reiterated his call for a transparent and neutral investigation into the incident.
He emphasised that the unresolved issue of Jammu & Kashmir remained the root cause of instability in South Asia, and urged the UN Secretary-General to play his role for its just resolution, in accordance with relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council.
PM Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment towards fostering international peace and security as a responsible member of the international community and a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
India running terror network in Pakistan: DG ISPR
Earlier, Pakistan military’s spokesman, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, presented irrefutable evidence revealing India’s involvement in undertaking cross-border terrorism inside Pakistan.
Addressing a press conference in Rawalpindi, the military’s spokesman revealed that a full-fledged Indian terror network has been uncovered within Pakistan.
The DG ISPR said that seven days had passed since the Pahalgam incident, but so far, India had not provided a “shred of evidence” for its “baseless allegations” against Pakistan.
He dismissed India’s accusations of terrorism against Pakistan as baseless and countered that New Delhi is, in fact, operating terrorist networks inside Pakistan.
Pahalgam crisis
Tensions escalated between Pakistan and India after gunmen attacked local tourists in the Pahalgam area of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on 22 April, killing 26 people and injuring 17.
India swiftly blamed Pakistan for the attack without presenting any credible evidence. Pakistan condemned the attack and strongly rejected the Indian government’s baseless accusations.
A day after the Pahalgam incident on 23 April, India’s Cabinet Committee on Security approved measures including the closure of the Wagah-Attari border crossing and the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.
In response, Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC) met on 24 April and warned that any attempt by India to block water flows into Pakistan would be considered an act of war.
The Pakistan Foreign Office on Friday said India was in no position to make a unilateral decision on the Indus Waters Treaty which is of critical importance for Pakistan’s water security and economy.
Foreign Office Spokesperson, Shafqat Ali Khan at his weekly media briefing in Islamabad said the unlawful, unilateral, and irresponsible Indian announcement threatens the very foundations of the entire edifice of interstate cooperation and smooth implementation of the treaties.
Pakistan’s National Security Committee also announced to closure of the Wagah border crossing with India.
On April 25, the Senate of Pakistan unanimously passed a resolution, rejecting India’s allegations as baseless and politically motivated.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said Islamabad was open to any “neutral and transparent” investigation into the Pahalgam attack. However, New Delhi has yet to respond to Pakistan’s offer.
“The recent tragedy in Pahalgam is yet another example of this perpetual blame game, which must come to a grinding halt,” PM Shehbaz said.
Pakistan has consistently maintained that it has no interest in escalating conflict but would defend itself if attacked.
Earlier on Monday, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned that the country was fully prepared to respond with “full force” if India initiated any military action.
Speaking to a private television channel, Asif said, “We want India’s lies on this issue to be exposed,” Asif said, adding that Pakistan had no desire for confrontation but would not hesitate to protect its sovereignty.
