On 9th May 2025, United States’ State Secretary, Marco Rubio, had a telephonic conversation with Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, regarding escalating conflict with India. A day before that, on 8th May 2025, he had a similar conversation with S Jaishankar, India’s Defence Minister. The contents of the conversation were almost similar, where he urged both countries to try to de-escalate the conflict. He also offered to conduct “constructive talks” with both countries, with the US as a mediator.
In the early hours of 10th May, Pakistan launched an operation against India called “Operation Bunyan Ul Marsoos” and launched airstrikes on India. As a response to Operation Sindoor, Pakistan targeted 26 locations in India with drones and missiles.
As per the statement received from the US’s side, “Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir earlier today. He continued to urge both parties to find ways to de-escalate and offered U.S. assistance in starting constructive talks in order to avoid future conflicts.”
According to the US Department of State, Marco Rubio also spoke with S Jaishankar on Thursday, where he expressed his condolences to the Pahalgam terror attack that happened on 22nd April and made a similar request to de-escalate the conflict. He also reassured that the USA will stand with India to fight terrorism.
On Friday, the White House gave its statement, which said that US President Donald Trump wants the conflict between India and Pakistan to de-escalate “as quickly as possible”.
As per Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary, “The President has expressed he wants to see this de-escalate as quickly as possible. He understands these are two countries that have been at odds with one another for decades, long before President Trump was in the Oval Office. This is something that the Secretary of State and, of course, now our national security advisor as well, Marco Rubio, has been very much involved in.”
After Pakistan’s drones were seen in 26 locations across India and Pakistan’s shared borders, India attacked three airbases in Pakistan. They are – Nur Khan in Rawalpindi, Murid in Chakwal and Rafiqui in Jhang.
All educational institutions and airports have been shut down in these areas, and blackouts are also issued.
