Trump urges India and Pakistan to cease their aggression
In a candid conversation from the Oval Office, the American leader expressed his concern over the ongoing clashes between India and Pakistan, stating, "I want them to stop." The President of the United States made it clear that he would offer any assistance needed to quell the violence: "If there's anything I can do to help, I'll be there."
Previously, Trump had expressed hope on Tuesday that the hostilities between the neighboring nations would deescalate quickly.
Unfortunately, skirmishes between India and Pakistan have resulted in numerous deaths since early morning, with at least 31 Pakistani and 12 Indian fatalities reported.
The most recent conflict trace back to an attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, Indian Kashmir, where armed men murdered 26 people. Tensions have been high between the two countries since their partition in 1947 and have recently escalated drastically.
Against this backdrop, US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, communicated with both his Indian and Pakistani counterparts on Tuesday evening, urging them to engage in dialog to ease the situation. According to the White House, Rubio encourages India and Pakistan to reopen discussions between their leaders to defuse the situation and prevent further escalation.
No definitive claims have been made regarding the April 22 attack's perpetrators, but India accuses Pakistan of supporting militants responsible for the violence. Pakistan denies any involvement in the attack.
In related news, Portugal has made an appeal for India and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions.
[1] Moscow calls for restraint from both India and Pakistan, urging them to avoid escalation.[2] Experts warn of a steep escalation ladder that could involve heavier weaponry and broader conflict. Experts also suggest that China might need to take a more active role to help de-escalate tensions.[3] Relationships between international actors show a clear divide, with Israel supporting India's right to self-defense while Turkey and Azerbaijan express solidarity with Pakistan and condemn India's attacks on civilian infrastructure.
[1] Following the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan, Russia has urged both nations to show restraint and avoid any potential escalation.[2] With reports of rising deaths and the potential for heavier weaponry being used, experts warn of a steep escalation ladder that could lead to a broader conflict.[3] In addition to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's appeals, China might need to take a more proactive role to help de-escalate tensions between India and Pakistan.[4] Amidst the general news of war and conflicts, Portugal has called for India and Pakistan to de-escalate the tensions, echoing the appeals made by other international actors. While some nations like Israel support India's right to self-defense, Turkey and Azerbaijan have expressed solidarity with Pakistan and criticized India's attacks on civilian infrastructure.
