In a significant diplomatic development, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone conversation with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar on Saturday, offering US support to facilitate “productive discussions” between India and Pakistan to prevent further escalation of hostilities.
According to a statement by the US Department of State, Secretary Rubio stressed the importance of both nations “identifying methods to de-escalate and re-establish direct communication to avoid miscalculation.” The offer followed Rubio’s earlier conversation with Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir, during which he similarly urged restraint and encouraged dialogue.
The Biden administration has made its intentions clear. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Secretary Rubio and National Security Adviser are deeply engaged in ongoing efforts to ease tensions, adding, “The President wants to see this de-escalate as quickly as possible.”
Meanwhile, in New Delhi, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh warned of Pakistan’s continued military mobilization. “Pakistan Army has been observed moving troops toward forward areas, indicating an offensive intent to escalate the situation further,” she said during a Saturday press briefing. She reaffirmed that India remains committed to non-escalation, provided Pakistan shows reciprocal restraint.
As part of India’s calibrated response, Singh highlighted that precision strikes were conducted exclusively on identified military targets to minimize collateral damage. She also refuted Pakistan’s disinformation campaign, including baseless claims about the destruction of India’s S-400 air defence system and damage to military airfields.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, speaking at the same briefing, slammed Pakistan’s shelling of Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed ADDM Raj Kumar Thapa and damaged civilian properties in Firozpur and Jalandhar. He also dismissed as “frivolous” and “ludicrous” Pakistani claims that Indian missiles had hit Afghanistan, reaffirming that India only targets terror infrastructure.
“This is an evolving situation,” Misri concluded, underlining India’s vigilance and firm stance against both military threats and propaganda warfare.
As diplomatic channels remain active and the US steps in with mediation offers, the region watches closely to see if these efforts can lead to a breakthrough in reducing tensions.
