US urges India, Pakistan to 'not escalate the situation' over Pahalgam attack

The United States said it is reaching out to India and Pakistan after tensions rose between the two neighbouring nations following a deadly terror attack in Kashmir. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to speak soon with the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan, a State Department spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday.

The Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir has once again fuelled the conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Speaking at a press briefing, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Washington is taking the situation seriously and urging both sides to refrain from further escalation.

"Regarding the Kashmir situation, India and Pakistan that he (Secretary of State Marco Rubio) said we are reaching out to both parties and telling, of course, them to not escalate the situation," Bruce said. "The secretary expects to speak with the foreign ministers of Pakistan and India as early as today or tomorrow."

She stated that Secretary Rubio is also calling on other nations' leaders to engage with India and Pakistan to find a peaceful resolution.

"He is encouraging other national leaders, other foreign ministers, to also reach out to the countries on this issue. So it is, again, as I've noted every day, action is being taken in this case. The secretary speaking directly to his counterparts in India and Pakistan".

The State Department confirmed that the US is working at many levels, not merely at the level of ministers, to keep communicating with India and Pakistan.

Tammy Bruce also responded to a recent statement by a Pakistani minister, who accused the US of making Pakistan do its "dirty work" and denied that the terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba exists in Pakistan.

"The Secretary of State will speak with the foreign ministers of both countries. We're also monitoring the developments across the board in that region, and we, as you know, are at multiple levels in touch with the governments of India and Pakistan," Bruce stated.

"We, of course, are encouraging all parties to work together for a responsible solution. The world is watching this, but I have no additional details in that regard."

PAKISTAN DEFENCE MINISTER ADMITS SUPPORTING MILITANTS

Earlier, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, in an interview with Sky News anchor Yalda Hakim, accepted Pakistan's involvement in supporting militant groups.

"But you do admit, you do admit, sir, that Pakistan has had a long history of backing and supporting and training and funding these terrorist organisations?" Yalda Hakim asked.

In response, Khawaja Asif said, "We have been doing this dirty work for the United States for about 3 decades... and the west, including Britain... That was a mistake, and we suffered for that, and that is why you are saying this to me."

ALSO READ: Harvard faces backlash for hosting Pak officials after Pahalgam terror attack