Daijiworld Media Network- Washington
Washington, May 9: As tensions simmer between India and Pakistan following the foiled aerial strikes and the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, the United States has called on both nuclear-armed neighbours to prioritise de-escalation and communication, while urging Islamabad to end its support for terrorism.
Addressing reporters at the daily briefing, US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce emphasised that the Biden administration has been focused on “two things”—preventing escalation and encouraging open communication between India and Pakistan.
“The message from the Secretary [of State Marco Rubio], and from the US in general, is that violence must stop. War and military action have historically proven to be ineffective, as seen in regions like the Middle East. Diplomacy must take the lead,” said Bruce, reflecting the White House’s current stance.
Secretary Rubio had earlier spoken to Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. According to Bruce, these conversations aimed to maintain diplomatic channels and avoid further deterioration of the security situation.
When asked whether the US was playing a mediatory role, Bruce said the situation remained “very delicate and dangerous,” and declined to disclose any negotiation details. “When there are negotiations happening, we are not going to be speaking about the details... we need to really try to keep it that way,” she added, hinting at behind-the-scenes diplomacy.
Referring to the official readout of Rubio’s call with Sharif, Bruce noted that the Secretary of State expressed “sorrow for the loss of civilian lives” and called on Pakistan to “take concrete steps to end any support for terrorist groups.”
This statement echoes long-standing concerns in Washington about Pakistan’s alleged role in harbouring extremist elements. Bruce recalled previous US criticism, including former President Donald Trump's 2018 post on X where he lashed out at Islamabad for providing “safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan,” after receiving over $33 billion in aid over 15 years.
As India remains firm on its stance of delivering a “measured yet strong” response to terror, and Pakistan continues to deny its involvement, the US message remains clear — stop the violence, talk it out, and avoid another regional conflict that could have global implications.