US Urges India and Pakistan to Show Restraint Amid Rising Tensions Following Pahalgam Attack
In response to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged both countries to exercise restraint and avoid any further escalation. Secretary Rubio plans to personally deliver this message to Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar via phone calls expected within the next 24 hours.
“We are reaching out to both parties and telling, of course, them not to escalate the situation,” said Tammy Bruce, spokesperson for the US State Department, during a press briefing on Tuesday. She confirmed that Secretary Rubio is actively encouraging other world leaders to convey similar messages of de-escalation to both India and Pakistan.
Engagement at Multiple Diplomatic Levels
According to Bruce, the United States has been in contact with New Delhi and Islamabad beyond the ministerial level, although she declined to provide further specifics. No updates have yet been issued on the anticipated phone conversations with the Indian and Pakistani foreign ministers.
Rubio’s statement comes just hours after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a high-level security meeting, granted the Indian armed forces “complete operational freedom” to determine the timing, mode, and targets of any potential response. The meeting was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, and the chiefs of the three armed forces.
US Voices Support for India, but Urges Caution
President Donald Trump had previously spoken to Prime Minister Modi shortly after the Pahalgam terrorist attack, expressing solidarity and support for India’s right to defend itself. During the call, Modi reaffirmed India’s determination to bring the perpetrators and their backers to justice, a statement widely interpreted as pointing toward Pakistan-based elements.
Adding to the chorus of American support, Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence, posted on X (formerly Twitter), expressing US backing for India’s efforts to “hunt down” the attackers responsible for what she called a “cowardly and heinous” act of terrorism.
Call for De-escalation Amid Regional Uncertainty
As tensions simmer, the US is walking a diplomatic tightrope—voicing strong support for India’s fight against terrorism while simultaneously urging both nuclear-armed neighbors to avoid further conflict. The situation remains fluid, and all eyes are now on the expected diplomatic outreach by Secretary Rubio and the responses from South Asia’s key players.
