Will Counter Any Escalation Attempt: Jaishankar Tells US State Secy Marco Rubio

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar made it clear to the US that India will firmly counter any attempts at escalation. The remarks were made on a call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio amid hostile attacks by Pakistan on border states.
Jaishankar underlined India’s targeted and measured response to cross-border terrorism. Further, he made it amply clear that any attempts at escalation will get a firm counter.
Rubio dialled S Jaishankar and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and called for immediate de-escalation amid India-Pakistan tensions. The calls come as Pakistan is firing drones and missiles, targeting several Indian cities along border states, including Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Rajasthan.
US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said, “Secretary Marco Rubio spoke today with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. The Secretary emphasised the need for immediate de-escalation.”
Rubio expressed US support for direct dialogue between India and Pakistan and encouraged continued efforts to improve communications.
He added, “The Secretary reiterated his condolences for the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to work with India in the fight against terrorism.”
After the call, Jaishankar said he underlined India’s targeted and measured response to cross-border terrorism. Further, he made it amply clear that any attempts at escalation will get a firm counter.
He wrote on X, “Spoke with US @SecRubio this evening. Deeply appreciate US commitment to work with India in the fight against terrorism. Underlined India’s targeted and measured response to cross-border terrorism. Will firmly counter any attempts at escalation.”
The calls come as tensions between India and Pakistan escalated into a full-blown attack from the Pakistani side who targetted Indian cities with a barrage of missiles and drones on Thursday evening. Border areas along the Line of Control (LoC) and International border, RS Pura, Arnia, Samba, Hiranagar, witnessed heavy shelling.
Eight missiles were shot at RS Pura, Arnia, Samba, Hiranagar, which were all intercepted by the Air Defence Units. The Indian air defence system shot down all the missiles and drones and no casualties have been reported so far.
Hours later, India retaliate and fired missiles on Pakistan’s side in defence. The Indian Army and Air Force are deploying surface-to-air missile defence systems, including the Akash, MRSAM, and Zu-23.
In a big setback for Pakistan, India shot down three jets, including two Pakistani JF-17 jets as well as F-16 jet.
The Indian army released a statement on the ongoing escalation and confirmed that military stations of Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur in proximity to the International Boundary in Jammu & Kashmir have been targeted by Pakistan using missiles and drones.
There is a complete blackout in several cities across Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.
Pakistan’s fresh attack comes just hours after India foiled its attempt to attack 15 locations. The government’s statement came shortly after Pakistan claimed one drone crashed near Lahore, while 12 others were taken down close to Gujranwala, Chakwal, Bahawalpur, Miano, Karachi, Chhor, Rawalpindi, and Attock.
The incident comes a day after India struck terror camps in Pakistan, in an operation named ‘Sindoor’, in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives.