Pahalgam Terrorist Attack: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio holds talks with EAM Jaishankar and Pak PM Sharif

External affairs minister S Jaishankar reiterated India's resolve to bring the perpetrators and backers of the Pahalgam terrorist attack to justice when the US secretary of state Marco Rubio held separate talks with his Indian counterpart and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday to encourage the two sides to work together to "de-escalate tensions" and "maintain peace and security in South Asia".

"Discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack with US @SecRubio yesterday. Its perpetrators, backers and planners must be brought to justice," Jaishankar posted on X after his telephonic conversation with Rubio.

The US State Department said in a readout after the phone call, "The secretary expressed his sorrow for the lives lost in the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam, and reaffirmed the United States' commitment to cooperation with India against terrorism. He also encouraged India to work with Pakistan to de-escalate tensions and maintain peace and security in South Asia."


Rubio also spoke to Sharif. "The Secretary spoke of the need to condemn the terror attack on April 22 in Pahalgam. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to holding terrorists accountable for their heinous acts of violence," said the US. Rubio urged Pakistani officials to cooperate in probing the "unconscionable attack", according to the US. He also encouraged Pakistan to work with India to re-establish direct communications, it said.