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In both his phone calls, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed on the need for immediate de-escalation as tensions heighten between India and Pakistan
S Jaishankar and Marco Rubio (File photo)
US Secretary Of State Marco Rubio on Thursday spoke to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. In both his phone calls, he stressed on the need for immediate de-escalation as tensions heighten between the two countries.
“This morning, Secretary Marco Rubio spoke with Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif and EAM Dr S Jaishankar. In both calls, the Secretary emphasised the need for immediate de-escalation and called for an end to the violence. He expressed US support for direct dialogue between India and Pakistan and encouraged continued efforts to improve communications,” said US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce.
Pakistan launched a series of attacks on Indian cities using drones and missiles on Thursday night but the Indian defence system intercepted all of them mid-air. Pakistan also started unprovoked firing along the border, prompting a swift retaliation from Indian forces.
During the phone call, Jaishankar underlined India’s targeted and measured response to cross-border terrorism. “Will firmly counter any attempts at escalation,” he said.
He appreciated the US commitment to work with India in the fight against terrorism.
Spoke with US @SecRubio this evening.Deeply appreciate US commitment to work with India in the fight against terrorism.
Underlined India’s targeted and measured response to cross-border terrorism. Will firmly counter any attempts at escalation.
🇮🇳 🇺🇸
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 8, 2025
Operation Sindoor LIVE Updates
The Secretary expressed the US support for direct dialogue between India and Pakistan and encouraged continued efforts to improve communications. He also reiterated his condolences for the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to work with India in the fight against terrorism.
Earlier today, the Secretary also spoke with Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and reiterated his calls for Pakistan to take concrete steps to end any support for terrorist groups.
A similar attack was attempted by Pakistan on the night of 07-08 May 2025 to engage a number of military targets in Northern and Western India including Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bhatinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj, using drones and missiles. However, the attacks were neutralised by India’s Integrated Counter UAS Grid and Air Defence systems.
In retaliation, the Indian Armed Forces targeted Air Defence Radars and systems at a number of locations in Pakistan. It has been reliably learnt that an Air Defence system at Lahore has been neutralised, the Ministry of Defence said.
Pakistan has also increased the intensity of its unprovoked firing across the Line of Control using Mortars and heavy calibre Artillery in areas in Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar and Rajouri sectors in Jammu and Kashmir after India struck nine terror infrastructures in Pakistan and PoK.
Sixteen innocent lives have been lost, including three women and five children, due to Pakistani firing. Indian forces are responding to bring Mortar and Artillery fire from Pakistan to a halt.
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Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
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