America’s top diplomat has called on India and Pakistan to work together to ease the rising tensions over Kashmir. This plea follows a tragic incident where gunmen killed 26 people, mostly tourists, in the India-controlled region of Kashmir. The violence has heightened the already strained relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, both of whom claim the territory.
The attack occurred near Pahalgam on April 22, and India has accused Pakistan of being behind it. Indian officials claim they have identified the attackers, two of whom are said to be Pakistani nationals. They label these individuals as terrorists involved in a violent uprising in the majority-Muslim region of Kashmir. In response, Pakistan has denied any involvement and has called for an impartial investigation into the incident.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reached out to both Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. During these conversations, Rubio expressed support for India’s fight against extremism while urging Pakistan to assist in the investigation of the attack.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party, emphasized the need for India to provide specific evidence to support its claims. He warned that the current situation could escalate into a military conflict if tensions are not diffused.
On Wednesday, Pakistan claimed to have credible intelligence suggesting that India might launch military action against it within the next day or two, citing unfounded allegations regarding the Pahalgam incident. In a show of escalating tensions, India has closed its airspace to Pakistani airlines shortly after Pakistan banned Indian airlines from flying over its territory.
The ongoing conflict has led to small-arms fire exchanges between Indian and Pakistani troops along their de facto border in Kashmir, although no casualties have been reported so far. Bhutto Zardari stated that Pakistan is prepared to respond to any aggression from India, highlighting the serious nature of the situation.
Both countries have taken measures against each other since the attack, including India suspending the Indus Water Treaty, which governs the use of water from the Indus River and its tributaries. This treaty has historically remained intact despite previous conflicts between the two nations.
As the situation unfolds, the international community is urged to engage with both sides to prevent further escalation and promote peace in the region.