US top diplomat Rubio speaks with Pakistan army chief about India, urges de-escalation

WASHINGTON – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir, on May 9 and urged both Pakistan and India to find ways to de-escalate, a US Department Of State spokesperson said.

Mr Rubio also offered US assistance in starting constructive talks in order to avoid future conflicts, the spokesperson said.

Pakistan said it

launched a military operation

against India early on May 10, targeting multiple bases including a missile storage site in northern India as the neighbours

extended their worst fighting

in nearly three decades. REUTERS