The US government stated it provided help to get India and Pakistan to begin “constructive talks” as the Group of Seven (G7) large nations also called on the Asian neighbours to hold direct talks with each other in the midst of increased hostilities.
The world powers have sounded an alarm at the latest spike in the India-Pakistan decades-long rivalry. India struck Pakistan with air strikes and missiles on Wednesday and ever since the two nuclear-armed nations have been clashing every day while also launching strikes on each other’s military facilities on Saturday. Scores have been killed.
The US, particularly Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has been having regular conversations with both India and Pakistan since late April and calling on them to de-escalate.
The US State Department late Friday and early Saturday issued three statements on Rubio’s calls with Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir, and the Indian and Pakistani foreign ministers. It quoted Rubio as saying they encouraged them to “re-establish direct communication to avoid miscalculation” and provide US support “in starting constructive talks” to prevent future conflicts.
Michael Kugelman, a Washington analyst and correspondent for the Foreign Policy magazine, said the move by Rubio to call the army chief directly was “the most consequential move the US has made” since the beginning of the crisis:
“If you want to discuss de-escalation with the Pakistanis, you must speak with General Munir.” President Donald Trump earlier this week described the escalating tensions as a shame. US Vice President JD Vance described war as “none of our business.”
In recent years, India has been seen as a partner by Western powers to counter China’s rising influence. Pakistan is a US ally although its importance has diminished since Washington’s 2021 withdrawal from neighbouring Afghanistan.
