US Secretary of State Marco Rubio contacted India and Pakistan officials to ease Kashmir tensions after last week’s deadly attack, according to the State Department. He urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to de-escalate hostilities promptly. India accuses Pakistan of backing the assault, a claim Islamabad denies fiercely.
Military Escalations Continue
Both nations expelled diplomats, closed borders, and halted air traffic while suspending a key water-sharing treaty. Soldiers exchanged fire along their disputed border, heightening tensions to critical levels recently observed. Kashmir remains divided between the rivals, claimed wholly by both since historic conflicts.
Public outrage surges in India as PM Modi vows to hunt attackers globally without delay. A Pakistani minister claims credible intel about Indian military plans, escalating fears further. Each side blames the other for unprovoked attacks, citing incidents in Kupwara and Mandal sectors. Independent verification remains challenging due to restricted access in contested zones.
Rubio expressed condolences over the Pahalgam massacre during talks with Jaishankar, reaffirming US anti-terrorism collaboration with India. Meanwhile, Sharif rejected Indian allegations, urging Washington to curb New Delhi’s rhetoric. Previous ceasefire breaches highlight recurring blame cycles in Himalayan border disputes.
The Kashmir conflict threatens regional stability, with global powers like the US increasingly concerned about nuclear escalation. Diplomatic intervention remains critical to prevent a catastrophic confrontation between the archrivals.
