U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held separate conversations with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on April 30, 2025, urging both nations to engage in dialogue and take steps to de-escalate tensions in the wake of the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, located in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. The attack claimed 26 lives and injured more than 20 people. 

According to a statement from spokesperson Tammy Bruce, Secretary Rubio expressed condolences to Minister Jaishankar for the “lives lost in the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam.” 

The Secretary also reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to counterterrorism cooperation with India and encouraged “India to work with Pakistan to de-escalate tensions and maintain peace and security in South Asia.”

During his call with Prime Minister Sharif, Secretary Rubio urged the Pakistani leader to publicly condemn the attack. Both leaders, the statement noted, reiterated their shared commitment to holding perpetrators of terrorism accountable.

“The Secretary urged Pakistani officials’ cooperation in investigating this unconscionable attack. He also encouraged Pakistan to work with India to de-escalate tensions, re-establish direct communications, and maintain peace and security in South Asia,” the statement noted. 

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