Amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone conversation with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday. The outreach comes as Washington attempts to ease the strain between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
According to reports, Rubio is also expected to speak with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar soon. The diplomatic push underscores growing international concern over the potential escalation in the region.
During the call, Prime Minister Sharif alleged that India was engaging in “escalatory and provocative behavior,” and warned that such actions could undermine Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts. “India’s provocations would only serve to distract Pakistan from its ongoing efforts to defeat terrorism, particularly from militant groups,” AFP quoted Sharif as saying, citing a statement released by his office.
The United States has been closely monitoring the situation. On Sunday, a State Department spokesperson said, “We are reaching out to both parties, and telling, of course, them to not escalate the situation,” quoting Rubio. The spokesperson added that the US was communicating with both sides at multiple levels and urged them to work towards a “responsible solution.”
Although Washington publicly condemned the Pahalgam attack—which claimed the lives of 26 people—with both President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance expressing support for India, the US has refrained from directly criticizing Pakistan.
India has squarely blamed Pakistan for orchestrating the terror strike, an accusation Islamabad has denied. Pakistan has instead called for a neutral, independent investigation into the incident.
In the aftermath of the attack, India suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty that governs water-sharing from the Indus River and its tributaries. In retaliation, Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian flights. Border clashes were also reported as tensions mounted along the Line of Control.
While Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice, Pakistan’s Defence Minister warned of a possible Indian military incursion, describing it as “imminent.”
Washington’s strategic interests in the region have become more complex in recent years. As it seeks to counter China’s growing influence, India has emerged as a vital partner. Meanwhile, Pakistan, though still a US ally, has seen its strategic relevance wane since the American military withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
As both sides dig in their heels, the international community watches closely—hoping diplomacy prevails over confrontation.
