News Brief
US Calls For De-Escalation As India-Pakistan Standoff Intensifies; Offers Help To Avert Further Conflict
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, emphasising the urgent need for both India and Pakistan to de-escalate and resume direct communication to prevent further conflict.
The statement came amid a sharp escalation in tensions, as Pakistan alleged that three of its airbases were targeted by Indian missiles and drones early Saturday (10 May).
In the readout released by State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce on Saturday, Rubio stressed that "both sides need to identify methods to de-escalate and re-establish direct communication to avoid miscalculation."
He also offered US assistance in supporting “productive discussions to avert future disputes.”
Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also spoke with Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir on Friday (9 May), urging both nations to de-escalate, according to US Department of State spokesperson Tammy Bruce.
Tensions have spiked following a series of drone attacks launched from Pakistan targeting Indian military sites along the northern and western borders for two consecutive nights.
While most drones were intercepted by Indian air defence systems, one armed drone crashed in a civilian area in Ferozepur, Punjab, injuring several people
Meanwhile, early Saturday, Saudi Arabia announced it was working to ease tensions between India and Pakistan, seeking an end to ongoing military confrontations and urging the resolution of all disputes through dialogue and diplomacy.
