Rubio urges Pak PM Sharif to cooperate in Pahalgam terror attack probe
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Washington: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called on Pakistan to cooperate in the investigation of the "unconscionable" terrorist attack in Pahalgam, while stressing the need for condemnation of the act.
In separate calls to Pakistan's Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday, Rubio also urged both nations to "de-escalate tensions, re-establish direct communications, and maintain peace and security in South Asia."
The significance of Rubio's approach was evident in the noticeable asymmetry of his calls. While he reached out to Pakistan's Prime Minister directly, his call with India's Foreign Minister was made instead of contacting Pakistan's Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar. This deviation from typical diplomatic protocol drew attention, given the importance of protocol in global diplomacy.
On Tuesday, US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce had noted that Rubio planned to call the foreign ministers of both countries to urge them not to escalate tensions. However, instead of speaking to Dar, Rubio chose to address Sharif personally.
Bruce stated that Rubio, in his call with Sharif, emphasized the need to condemn the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Both leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to holding terrorists accountable for their violent actions. Rubio also urged Pakistan to fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation into the attack.
In his call with Jaishankar, Rubio expressed sorrow for the lives lost in the Pahalgam attack, reaffirming the United States' commitment to supporting India’s counter-terrorism efforts. He also encouraged India to work with Pakistan to de-escalate tensions and ensure stability in the region.
The tone of Rubio's call with Jaishankar was particularly empathetic, reflecting the shared pain and commitment of both nations in combating terrorism.
The United States has remained steadfast in its support of India’s efforts against terrorism across various administrations. US President Donald Trump had expressed solidarity with India just hours after the Pahalgam attack, calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In February, Trump also announced the decision to extradite Tahawwur Rana to India during Modi’s visit to the White House. Rana, who was involved in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, is now in Indian custody.
The US continues to maintain its role as a key ally in South Asia, supporting both India and Pakistan in the pursuit of peace and stability in the region.
With IANS inputs
