Kathmandu: Amid growing tensions between Pakistan and India, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone conversation with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, according to a CNN report.
Pakistan’s official readout of the call, released by the Prime Minister’s Office, revealed that Sharif strongly condemned India’s recent strikes, describing them as a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Sharif warned that such actions could seriously threaten peace and stability across South Asia.
“The people of Pakistan are outraged by this attack,” Sharif said, emphasizing the country’s unwavering “resolve to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity at all costs.” He added that Pakistan “reserved the right to act in self-defense.”
According to CNN, Secretary Rubio responded by stating that the United States is “closely following the situation” and remains committed to promoting peace and stability in the region. He urged both countries to work together to de-escalate the situation through diplomatic means.
CNN also noted that the U.S. readout of the call added another layer to the American stance. While reaffirming the call for de-escalation, Rubio also conveyed a clear message that Pakistan must “take concrete steps to end any support for terrorist groups.”
Rubio has also spoken with India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, delivering a similar message aimed at preventing further deterioration of relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Source: CNN