The conversation took place just hours after Pakistan launched ‘Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos’ against India.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke by phone with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Asim Munir, on Saturday, urging restraint and calling on both Pakistan and India to immediately pursue de-escalation, according to a spokesperson from the U.S. Department of State.
“Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke earlier today with Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir. He continued to urge both parties to identify pathways for de-escalation and offered U.S. assistance in initiating constructive dialogue to prevent future conflict,” the U.S. State Department said in an official statement.
Rubio voiced concern over the rapid escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors and reaffirmed Washington’s willingness to support diplomatic initiatives aimed at reducing tensions and averting further hostilities.
The phone call came just hours after Pakistan launched ‘Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos,’ a major retaliatory military campaign in response to reported Indian missile and drone strikes earlier in the week. Pakistani forces struck multiple military installations inside India, describing the actions as a defensive yet resolute response.
