In the wake of a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio engaged in high-level diplomatic calls with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging both nations to de-escalate rising tensions. The attack claimed the lives of 26 civilians and was carried out by The Resistance Front (TRF), widely recognised as a proxy outfit for Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based terror organisation.

Rubio’s direct outreach marks the first major public diplomatic intervention from the United States since the violent incident. The calls came amid rapidly deteriorating ties between the nuclear-armed neighbours, sparking fears of broader regional instability.

Terrorist Attack Sparks Major Diplomatic Response

On April 22, Pahalgam in Jammu & Kashmir witnessed one of the deadliest civilian attacks in recent years. A group of armed terrorists belonging to TRF opened fire on a tourist bus, killing 26 civilians and injuring dozens more. Indian authorities blamed the TRF, linking them directly to the banned terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), operating from Pakistan.

The Indian government responded swiftly, suspending the Indus Water Treaty, a long-standing water-sharing agreement between the two nations. It also closed the Attari-Wagah border crossing, halted bilateral trade operations, and restricted airspace access for Pakistani airlines.

Rubio’s Diplomatic Outreach to India and Pakistan

Recognising the gravity of the situation, Secretary Marco Rubio personally called both Jaishankar and Sharif. According to a State Department official, Rubio “stressed the importance of re-establishing direct communications and maintaining peace in the region.” He also offered US assistance to India in counterterrorism operations.

During the call with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Rubio is reported to have urged Islamabad to cooperate fully in the investigation of the Pahalgam attack. Meanwhile, Sharif’s office issued a statement asking the US to encourage India to de-escalate military rhetoric.

Rubio’s calls were not only significant due to their timing and urgency, but also because they represented the highest level of simultaneous engagement by the US with both South Asian powers since the attack.

India Responds with Strong Diplomatic and Military Measures

In addition to cutting water and trade ties, India ramped up military deployments along the Line of Control (LoC). Skirmishes and cross-border firing incidents have intensified in recent days, with several injuries reported on both sides. Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to punish those responsible, calling the attack an act of “cowardly terrorism.”

These developments have escalated fears of a potential retaliatory strike by India, similar to the Balakot airstrike conducted in 2019 in response to the Pulwama terror attack. The Indian Army and Air Force are reportedly on high alert, with intelligence inputs warning of more terror threats.

Pakistan Warns Against Retaliation

Pakistan, on the other hand, has dismissed India’s allegations and expressed concern over what it calls India’s “aggressive military posturing.” Officials in Islamabad have warned that any retaliatory action by India would be met with a “strong response.”

Sharif’s office confirmed that during the call with Rubio, the Prime Minister urged the US to use its diplomatic weight to calm tensions in South Asia. Pakistan has denied any involvement in the Pahalgam attack, claiming the TRF is a “non-state actor with no official support.”

International Concern Grows Over Indo-Pak Tensions

The escalation in India-Pakistan tensions has caught the attention of the global diplomatic community. The United Nations and European Union have issued statements urging restraint and peaceful resolution of disputes.

The US, in particular, has reiterated its support for India’s right to defend its citizens from terrorism, while also emphasising the need to avoid any actions that could lead to a full-scale military conflict.

Washington’s role as a mediator between India and Pakistan has become increasingly important, given its counterterrorism partnerships with India and strategic cooperation with Pakistan on regional stability in Afghanistan.

India’s Internal Political Climate After the Attack

The timing of the attack has also influenced India’s domestic political landscape, with opposition parties criticising the government for intelligence failures. However, public sentiment has largely rallied behind the Modi administration’s hard stance on terror.

There is increasing pressure on the government to take decisive action against those responsible, with many political commentators predicting that this could influence India’s foreign policy approach in the coming months.

Rubio’s Call a Strategic Move by the US

Rubio’s dual outreach can be seen as a carefully calibrated move aimed at not just defusing tensions, but also preserving US strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific. The US sees India as a key democratic partner, and at the same time needs Pakistan's cooperation in dealing with regional security threats.

The Secretary’s calls signal continued American engagement in South Asian peace efforts, even as the region faces a surge in extremism and military activity.

Conclusion

The April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam has once again brought the world’s attention to the volatile India-Pakistan relationship. With 26 innocent lives lost, and diplomatic ties strained, the role of global powers like the United States becomes critical.

Secretary Marco Rubio’s intervention could be the first step toward restoring dialogue and preventing an all-out conflict. As India prepares for its response and Pakistan maintains its stance, the situation remains extremely fragile.

The Upcoming IPOs in this week and coming weeks are Wagons Learning, Srigee DLM, Manoj Jewellers.

The Current active IPO are Kenrik Industries, Arunaya Organics.

Start your Stock Market Journey and Apply in IPO by Opening Free Demat Account in Choice Broking FinX.

Join our Trading with CA Abhay Telegram Channel for regular Stock Market Trading and Investment Calls by CA Abhay Varn - SEBI Registered Research Analyst.