Jaishankar Marco Rubio Talks | What The Leaders Spoke? Amid soaring tensions along the western border and continuing Pakistani aggression, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called for urgent de-escalation between India and Pakistan. In a phone conversation with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Rubio emphasised the need for “methods to de-escalate,” even as Islamabad continues to target civilian areas and military installations in Jammu and Kashmir.
Had a conversation with US @SecRubio this morning.
India’s approach has always been measured and responsible and remains so.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 10, 2025
India, which launched Operation Sindoor in response to a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam last month, has maintained that its actions have been both strategic and restrained.
“Had a conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio this morning. India’s approach has always been measured and responsible and remains so,” Jaishankar posted on X (formerly Twitter) Saturday morning.
US Makes Back-to-Back Diplomatic Appeals to India and Pakistan
This marks Rubio’s second conversation with Jaishankar in a week, underscoring growing US concern over the possibility of full-scale conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Rubio had earlier spoken to Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir, reportedly urging restraint from Islamabad, which has drawn global criticism for reckless drone and missile strikes near civilian infrastructure in India.
“We have offered US assistance to help both sides engage in constructive and confidential talks to lower tensions,” US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a briefing.
ALSO READ: After Pakistan provocation, India hits key air bases in retaliation to drone attacks
Rubio also separately contacted Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, reiterating that Pakistan must take credible steps to curb support for terrorist outfits, many of which operate from within its borders with tacit military backing.
President Trump: De-escalation in Everyone’s Interest
President Donald Trump, whose administration has been closely monitoring the escalation, also weighed in. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Friday that the President believes “decades-old hostilities must give way to regional stability.”
“The President wants both India and Pakistan to step back and avoid further conflict. He understands the historical context but believes de-escalation is in everyone’s interest,” Leavitt said.
The diplomatic calls come at a time when Pakistani troops shelled Indian civilian areas overnight, killing a senior official in Rajouri and wounding several others in Jammu and Kashmir. This adds to the over a dozen fatalities already reported from cross-border shelling and drone strikes earlier this week.
ALSO READ: Pakistani drone attack injures 3 family members in Ferozepur
India has condemned the attacks as “irresponsible and cowardly”, pointing to Pakistan’s repeated violations of international norms by targeting medical centres, schools, and residential areas.
In contrast, India’s Operation Sindoor, launched after the April 22 massacre of 26 civilians in Pahalgam, has been directed strictly at terrorist camps and military targets inside Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Pressure Mounts on Pakistan as Global Patience Thins
With increasing global pressure — from the United States, France, and Japan — mounting on Islamabad to rein in its military adventurism, India is expected to maintain both diplomatic engagement and tactical superiority.
Analysts say the US outreach reflects a shift, acknowledging India’s responsible posture while calling on Pakistan to abandon its use of proxies and drone warfare as tools of state policy.
