United States of America has urged India and Pakistan to show restraint and pursue peaceful solutions amid escalating tensions between the countries following Pahalgam violence.
US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce emphasized the value of regional stability during a news briefing and encouraged both countries to seek diplomatic means of resolving their differences.
Bruce stated, “We are keeping a careful eye on the situation and are in close contact with both governments at multiple levels.”
The remarks follow rising tensions after 26 tourists were allegedly killed on April 22 in the Muslim-majority Pahalgam area of Indian-occupied Kashmir.
New Delhi has taken a number of punitive actions in response to the incident, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and giving Pakistani citizens a 48-hour deadline to depart India.
In addition, India ordered a major cutback of diplomatic personnel and recalled its military attaché from Islamabad.
The Indian military has reportedly been given “operational freedom” by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the wake of the attack, raising concerns about a potential escalation.
In retaliation, Islamabad called a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) and declared that all bilateral accords with India, including the Simla Accord, would be suspended.
Moreover, Pakistan banned all trade, dismissed Indian officials, and shuttered its land and airways.
Bruce acknowledged during the briefing that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had spoken separately with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
He stated, “Secretary Rubio underlined the necessity of responsible actions that support regional stability and long-term peace.”
