External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday said the perpetrators, planners, and backers of the Pahalgam terror attack must be brought to justice, following a high-level call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The conversation, held amid soaring Indo-Pak tensions over the April 22 attack that killed 26 civilians, focused on counter-terror cooperation and regional stability.
“Discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack with US @SecRubio yesterday. Its perpetrators, backers and planners must be brought to justice,” Jaishankar posted on X.
Rubio expressed condolences over the “horrific” Baisaran Valley massacre, in which terrorists targeted Indian and Nepali tourists. He reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to stand with India against terrorism and urged both nations to de-escalate tensions and restore peace in South Asia.
According to US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce, Rubio:
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Encouraged Pakistan’s cooperation in the investigation
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Reiterated support for India’s counter-terror efforts
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Called for open communication channels between India and Pakistan
Rubio also held talks with Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif, urging Islamabad to condemn the terror attack and engage constructively with India. The US emphasized the need for accountability and regional stability.
“Rubio and Sharif reaffirmed their continued commitment to holding terrorists accountable,” the US said.