US urges India, Pak not to escalate situation

WITH PRIME MINISTER Narendra Modi promising retribution for the Pahalgam terror attack and telling the military brass that they have "complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets and timing of our response", the US has started reaching out to India and Pakistan to ask them "not to escalate the situation".

- SHUBHAJIT ROY

Washington's move came on the day 25 diplomats, officials and staffers from Indian and Pakistan High Commissions in Islamabad and Delhi returned home, bringing down the strength of the High Commissions from 55 to 30.

US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce told the press that Washington is reaching out to both India and Pakistan "regarding the Kashmir situation" and telling them "not to escalate the situation".

Secretary of State Marco Rubio "expects to speak with the Foreign Ministers of Pakistan and India as early as today or tomorrow. He is encouraging other national leaders and Foreign Ministers to reach out to the countries on this issue," Bruce said.