As regional tensions spike following India’s precision strikes under Operation Sindoor, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday engaged directly with the National Security Advisors (NSAs) of India and Pakistan, urging both nations to keep communication channels open and avoid any escalation.
In a post on X, the US Department of State confirmed the diplomatic outreach:
“Earlier this afternoon, @SecRubio spoke to the national security advisors from India and Pakistan. He urged both to keep lines of communication open and avoid escalation.”
India’s Measured Response to the Pahalgam Terror Attack
The outreach comes in the wake of India’s retaliatory strikes conducted in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians. The Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor, targeting nine terror camps across Bahawalpur, Muridke, and Sialkot in Pakistan, and five in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).
According to India’s Ministry of Defence, the strikes were:
“Focused, measured, and non-escalatory. No Pakistani military facilities were targeted.”
Rubio Monitoring Developments, Echoes Trump’s Caution
In an earlier post, Secretary Rubio stated:
“I am monitoring the situation between India and Pakistan closely. I echo President Trump’s comments earlier today that this hopefully ends quickly and will continue to engage both Indian and Pakistani leadership towards a peaceful resolution.”
President Donald Trump, in his remarks from the Oval Office, acknowledged the Indian strikes and said:
“They’ve been fighting for a long time… centuries, actually, if you think about it. I hope it ends very quickly.”
Operation Sindoor: India’s Most Significant Military Action Since 1971
Operation Sindoor, carried out by a joint task force of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, marks India’s deepest strike into Pakistan’s undisputed territory since the 1971 war, according to CNN.
Sources revealed that top leaders of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)—two Pakistan-based terror outfits—were targeted in the coordinated operation.
Global Watch and Diplomatic Implications
The United States’ involvement through direct communication with both India and Pakistan signals international concern over possible military escalation in South Asia. Rubio’s outreach aims to stabilize the region diplomatically while acknowledging India’s right to self-defense against terrorism.
Conclusion
While India maintains its strikes were non-escalatory and precise, Washington’s intervention reflects the fragile nature of regional peace, especially in the aftermath of a major cross-border counter-terrorism operation. As the world watches closely, the emphasis now shifts to de-escalation, dialogue, and continued vigilance against terrorism.