US expected to try to diffuse tension between Pakistan, India within next 24 hours

Amid escalating tension between Pakistan and India after the Pahalgam incident, the United States (US) State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said on Tuesday that Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to speak with the foreign ministers of both India and Pakistan.

“We are reaching out to both parties, and telling them of course not to escalate the situation. The secretary is expected to speak with the foreign minister of Pakistan and India as early as today or tomorrow,” the State Department spokesperson said when a journalist posed a question during the press briefing.

Following the Pahalgam incident, without providing verifiable evidence, India has attempted to link Pakistan to the attack. Pakistan has firmly denied the allegations and has offered to participate in a neutral and transparent international investigation.

Bruce said that the Secretary of State is also encouraging other foreign ministers and national leaders to reach out to the nuclear-armed arch rivals in a bid to diffuse tensions, adding that action is being taken every day.

While the State Department stopped short of commenting on specific allegations, the spokesperson reiterated the US position: “We are watching the situation closely and remain in direct touch with both governments. We are, of course, encouraging all the parties to work together for a responsible solution. The world is watching this.”

On being asked about recent collaboration following Pakistan’s facilitation in the arrest of an Islamic State Khorasan suspect, Bruce acknowledged Pakistan’s cooperation, noting: “We appreciated that arrest when it occurred.”

When asked about Pakistani minister Khwaja Asif's statement about historic cooperation with the US, Bruce declined to offer specific commentary, instead highlighting ongoing multi-level engagement with Islamabad.