NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Thursday held talks with US secretary of state Marco Rubio and discussed the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives.
Taking to X, Jaishankar emphasised the need to bring the “perpetrators, backers, and planners” of the attack to justice.
“Discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack with US @SecRubio yesterday. Its perpetrators, backers and planners must be brought to justice,” Jaishankar said in a post on X.
In response, Secretary Rubio expressed condolences for the lives lost in what he termed a “horrific terrorist attack” and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to counter-terrorism cooperation with India. The US state department spokesperson Tammy Bruce noted that Rubio also encouraged India-Pakistan dialogue to reduce regional tensions.
The diplomatic exchange comes amid escalating tensions along the Line of Control (LoC), where Pakistan has increased ceasefire violations following the April 22 Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 lives. The Indian Army has responded to Pakistan’s unprovoked small arms fire across the LoC.
In response to the attack, India has implemented several punitive measures against Pakistan, including: Suspending the Indus Water Treaty, shutting Indian airspace for Pakistan flights and closing the integrated check post at Attari.
Meanwhile, amid growing speculation of a retaliation against the Pahalgam terror attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is said to have given a free hand to security forces to decide the mode and timing of response to Pakistan.
The Prime Minister’s latest security review was attended by the heads of all three armed forces: Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, and Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh.