US Steps In to Mediate India-Pakistan Conflict: "Willing to Support Constructive Dialogue"

The United States has stepped in to mediate as concerns grow over the escalation of armed conflict between India and Pakistan.

Reuters Yonhap News

On May 9 (local time), the U.S. State Department announced that Secretary Marco Rubio had spoken with Pakistan's Army Chief of Staff, Asim Munir, urging both Pakistan and India to seek ways to de-escalate tensions.

The State Department also reported that Secretary Rubio offered U.S. support to help initiate constructive dialogue aimed at preventing future conflicts.

On the same day, the foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) nations issued a joint statement calling for both countries to immediately de-escalate tensions and engage in direct talks for peace. The G7 foreign ministers stated that "the escalation of military tensions poses a serious threat to regional stability," expressed concern for civilian safety, and urged both sides to exercise "maximum restraint."

India and Pakistan have continued their military conflict since a shooting attack near the resort town of Pahalgam in the disputed Indian-administered Kashmir region on April 22. India identified Pakistan as being behind the attack and launched missiles targeting Pakistan, and on this day, the Pakistani military officially began retaliatory military operations in response.