External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held crucial discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday, focusing on the recent Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 people dead. Jaishankar emphasized that the perpetrators, backers, and planners of the attack must be brought to justice. Rubio, expressing deep sorrow over the tragedy, reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to counterterrorism cooperation with India. He also encouraged dialogue between India and Pakistan to de-escalate rising tensions, which have intensified amid continuous ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC). In response to the attack, India has frozen the Indus Water Treaty, closed the Integrated Check Post at Attari, and reduced diplomatic engagements with Pakistan.

The Indian Army has been responding robustly to Pakistan's unprovoked cross-border fire, while security forces ramped up anti-terror operations in the Kashmir Valley. The Cabinet Committee on Security underscored the cross-border links of the attack, citing its timing after successful elections in Jammu and Kashmir.