US Secretary of State encourages continued efforts to improve communications in separate calls with PM Shehbaz, Indian FM: Spokesperson
WASHINGTON: US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce has said that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged de-escalation and expressed support for direct dialogue in separate calls with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, according to agencies reports on Thursday.
“Rubio, in both phone calls, “emphasised the need for immediate de-escalation”, Bruce said in readouts of the calls.
“He expressed US support for direct dialogue between India and Pakistan and encouraged continued efforts to improve communications,” Bruce said.
Showing the delicate balancing act of Rubio’s diplomacy, the two State Department spokespersons’ readouts, sent out within a minute of each other, also included tailored messages for each side.
He expressed sorrow to PM Shehbaz for the loss of civilian lives in the current conflict. To Jaishankar, Rubio reaffirmed his commitment to work with India in the fight against terrorism, Bruce said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday, according to a press release from the prime minister’s office.
It said PM Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity and stressed that Pakistan reserved the right to act in self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter, the statement read. He also appreciated President Trump’s concern over the current security situation in South Asia.
According to the statement, the PM conveyed Pakistan’s strong condemnation of India’s missile and drone strikes, which had led to the loss of 31 lives and injured 57 others, alongside damaging civilian infrastructure.
“India’s attacks had violated Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while gravely jeopardising peace and stability in the South Asia region,” the PM was quoted as saying.
According to the statement, Secretary Rubio noted that the United States was closely following the situation in the region “as it was committed to promoting peace and stability”. He emphasised the need for both Pakistan and India to work closely to de-escalate the situation.
