Washington: United States has asked Pakistan and India to maintain “direct talks” to reduce tensions and said it will support any effort, including a neutral investigation, to ensure that the perpetrators of Pahalgam’s attack are taken to justice.
At a press conference on Thursday, Tammy Bruce, spokesman for the State Department, said that the United States was aware of Pakistan’s offer for a neutral investigation into the attack.
“Pakistan wants an independent investigation … and [the US] He wants the perpetrators to be responsible, and we support any effort for that purpose, ”he added.
When asked if the two neighbors have offered any commitment,
Mrs. Bruce said that Secretary Rubio had been clear in two things: “that this should not climb” and “communication was fundamentally key.”
When the spokesman was asked if the United States shared the opinion of India that Pakistan was supporting terrorist groups, he refrained from affirming the accusation.
She said that Pahalgam’s attack was “horrible”, but the “round trip and the continuation” of the attacks should stop.
Mrs. Bruce added that the growing tensions between India and Pakistan in recent weeks “are not surprising but very, very disappointing.”
She said that both parties should remain involved in the conversation and that the United States would remain involved in this process.
Rubio also spoke with Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal Bin Farhan al Saud. They discussed regional security issues, economic commitment and efforts to decline tensions between India and Pakistan, Bruce added.
She acknowledged that the situation was “very delicate and dangerous” and said that any discussion about ongoing negotiations should not be made public.
“That is certainly our policy. We believe it is important not to put details in the middle of the world media when the work is done in private among the leaders.”
When asked if India provided the United States with some intelligence to support their claims against Pakistan, Bruce refused to give details.
“However, we will not participate in the nature of discussing what the conversations have been or what we have transmitted,” he added.
She urged both India and Pakistan to “work towards a responsible solution.”
Counseling of the US Consulate.
The United States General Consulate in Lahore has ordered its staff to take refuge in its place after the Indian drones were shot down in the city. The Consulate said that he also received initial reports that the authorities may be evacuating some areas adjacent to the main airport of Lahore, according to a statement.
Posted in Dawn, May 9, 2025
