US Urges India and Pakistan to De-Escalate Tensions After Kashmir Attack

 The United States, through Secretary of State Marco Rubio, called on India and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions on April 25, 2025, following Pakistan’s claim that India planned a military strike in response to a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, per The Times of India. 

The attack, killing 26 tourists and claimed by The Resistance Front, prompted India to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty and expel Pakistani nationals, per BBC. Rubio’s direct talks with both nations’ leaders aim to prevent further escalation, per state.gov.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif alleged India’s strike plans based on “credible intelligence,” vowing a “decisive” response. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a Srinagar rally, promised to pursue the attackers, linked to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, but did not confirm military plans. The Line of Control saw six days of cross-border firing, with two Indian and three Pakistani soldiers injured. The U.S. State Department emphasized avoiding escalation, noting Kashmir’s complex history, per state.gov.

Since India revoked Kashmir’s autonomy in 2019, violence has decreased, but attacks persist, with 41,000 deaths since 1989, per Wikipedia. India’s deployment of 500,000 troops in Kashmir and Pakistan’s nuclear posture raise fears of miscalculation, per The Economic Times. The U.S., balancing ties with both nations, has avoided taking sides on Kashmir’s status. China, a Pakistan ally, also urged restraint, offering diplomatic support, per The Times of India.

The Biden administration’s shuttle diplomacy, continued under Trump, has yielded no formal talks, but Rubio’s engagement signals U.S. commitment to stability, per state.gov. India’s focus on cross-border terrorism and Pakistan’s economic fragility, with 8% inflation, complicate de-escalation, per IMF data. The UN Security Council plans a June 2025 meeting to address Kashmir, but analysts doubt a breakthrough, citing past failures. The U.S. call underscores the need for dialogue to avert a broader South Asian conflict.