New Delhi: Foreign Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday morning held a telephonic conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The US official reportedly urged India to de-escalate the tense situation at its border with Pakistan. Foreign Minister Jaishankar however responded to him saying, “India’s approach has always been measured and responsible and remains so.”
India’s approach is measured and remains so: S Jaishankar
Following his conversation with Rubio, S Jaishankar posted on social media platform, ‘X’, “Had a conversation with US @SecRubio this morning. India’s approach has always been measured and responsible and remains so.”
Rubio is one of the most senior diplomats in the Donald Trump administration. He had reportedly said that both India and Pakistan need to “identify methods to de-escalate”. He also had a conversation with Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir earlier and appealed to him too, to back down.
The US also offered assistance to both sides to start “constructive” talks. This was confirmed by the US Department of State spokesperson Tammy Bruce. Friday’s call was the second conversation between Jaishankar and Rubio in a week. In his earlier talks also, the US Secretary of State had appealed for de-escalation, to help manage the current crisis.
Rubio also talked to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss the ongoing tense situation between the two countries. He had urged the Pakistani leader to take concrete steps to curb terrorism and end support to terrorist groups. Earlier, President Donald Trump had also called for peace between the 2 countries. He had also said that if “he can do anything, (to help de-escalate) then he will be there.” Trump had said that he knew both countries “very well” and wants to “see them work it out.”
The conversation between Jaishankar and Rubio came just before India claimed that Pakistan had targeted civilian areas, including hospitals and schools in Punjab with missiles. A MEA press conference claimed that though all missiles were intercepted and destroyed, their target were civilian areas. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated further after India launched “Operation Sindoor” post the Pahalgam terror attack. India launched missile strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. In response, Pakistan sent at least 50 drones into Indian territory. However, none could reach their target and were successfully neutralised by the Indian armed forces.
