The United States is actively engaging with India and Pakistan to de-escalate rising tensions following a deadly attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, that claimed 26 lives [1][2]. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reached out to top officials from both countries, urging restraint and cooperation [7][8].

In separate calls with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Rubio emphasized the need for peace and security in South Asia [7]. The U.S. State Department spokesperson, Tammy Bruce, confirmed that Washington is "reaching out to both parties and telling, of course, them to not escalate the situation" [11].

The attack in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Indian-administered Kashmir, saw assailants targeting Hindu tourists, escalating long-standing tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors [1][3]. India has accused Pakistan of involvement, identifying two of the three attackers as Pakistani nationals [6]. Pakistan has denied any role in the incident [6].

In response to the attack, India has taken several retaliatory measures. These include:

Unilaterally withdrawing from the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 [4] Closing its airspace to Pakistani airlines until May 23, 2025 [24][25] Banning Pakistani nationals from traveling to India under the SAARC visa exemption program [26] Blocking Instagram accounts of several Pakistani actors and content creators in India [22][23]

Pakistan, in turn, has accused India of "escalatory and provocative behavior" [17]. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged the U.S. to press India to "dial down the rhetoric and act responsibly" during his call with Secretary Rubio [17]. Pakistan has also claimed to have "credible intelligence" suggesting imminent Indian military action [3][6].

The international community, led by the United States, is calling for restraint. Secretary Rubio is encouraging other national leaders and foreign ministers to reach out to both countries on this issue [11]. The situation remains tense, with both nations reducing diplomatic presence in each other's capitals [1].

As the crisis unfolds, the global community watches closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution to prevent further escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.