US urges Pakistan, India to de-escalate, backs direct dialogue

By News Report

ISLAMABAD: International diplomacy is on the edge to defuse the escalating military tensions between Pakistan and India leading to casualties and damage to infrastructure in missile and drone strikes on both sides of the international border.

As part of international efforts for détente between the two South Asian nuclear neighbours, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Thursday called up Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and discussed the prevailing situation in the region. Shehbaz conveyed Pakistan’s strong condemnation of India’s missile and drone strikes that led to the death of 31 civilians, injured 57 others and damaged civilian infrastructures, according to a press statement issued by the PM House Press Wing. India’s attacks have violated Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while gravely jeopardizing peace and stability in the South Asia region, he added.

The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm resolve to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity at all costs. He noted that the people of Pakistan were outraged by India’s unprovoked acts of war and stressed that Pakistan reserved the right to act in self-defense, in accordance with Article-51 of the UN Charter.

He also appreciated President Trump’s concern over the current security situation in South Asia.

Secretary Rubio noted that the US was closely following the situation in South Asia, as it was committed to promoting peace and stability in the region. To this end, he emphasized upon the need for both Pakistan and India to work closely to de-escalate the situation. Both sides agreed to remain in touch.

In a post on his X handle, Shehbaz mentioned the telephonic conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He said Pakistan appreciates the prayers of Turkish brethren for the martyrs of heinous missile strikes carried out by India on Wednesday. He said Pakistan will protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity at all costs.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar Thursday said the national security advisers (NSAs) of Pakistan and India had spoken following New Delhi’s unprovoked missile strikes. “Yes, there has been contact between the two,” he told TRT World when asked whether the NSAs had made contact after India’s overnight strikes against Pakistan. Dar said, “India has done something that is not condonable. The country will decide when and what mode and which form we will react in future,” he added. He said Turkiye was the first country to issue a formal statement of condemnation over India’s aggression.

“This morning after the attack, which was almost past midnight, around 1am, the first call I received was from foreign minister of Turkiye,” said Dar. “We greatly value our friendship and brotherhood with Turkiye,” Dar added. In a separate statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said the attack by India “created a risk of all-out war” and condemned its “provocative” steps and the targeting of civilians. In addition to Türkiye, other countries and multilateral players like the United Nations have also called for an early resolution of the military dispute between the two countries.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud Thursday discussed efforts to de-escalate tensions, as South Asia faces the risk of a major conflict, his office said on Thursday, reports the Arab News.

“The secretary and the foreign minister discussed regional security matters, economic engagement and efforts to de-escalate tensions between India and Pakistan,” US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said. She added the US state secretary also commended the Saudi government for its efforts to help stabilize Syria, to stop fighting in Sudan and continued engagement with Lebanon and the issues in the Red Sea.

Saudi State Minister for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir Thursday made a surprise visit to India to meet External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, amid escalating tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad, reports Arab News. Jaishankar said on X that he had a “good meeting” with Al-Jubeir on Thursday morning, during which he “shared India’s perspectives on firmly countering terrorism.”

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi Thursday called for restraint between India and Pakistan upon landing in New Delhi, state media reported. “We hope India and Pakistan will prevent the escalation of tension in the region,” Araqchi said, reiterating calls for restraint he made during his visit to Pakistan on Monday.

Minister of External Affairs of India Subrahmanyam Jaishankar posted on his X account on Thursday that he met with Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in New Delhi, where the two sides discussed the next steps for enhancing bilateral cooperation in different arenas.