After Pahalgam Terror Attack, Why Did Shahbaz Sharif Suddenly Call America? Here's What Happened

The already fragile relationship between India and Pakistan has once again come under strain following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22. In the wake of the incident, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif reached out to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday, accusing India of “provoking tensions” in the region.

According to a report by Agence France-Presse (AFP), the U.S. State Department confirmed that Secretary Rubio will hold conversations with both Indian and Pakistani counterparts to urge restraint and appeal for normalization of the situation.

Sharif Accuses India of Provocation

During his call with Rubio, Sharif expressed concern that India’s actions were escalating hostilities along the Line of Control (LoC). This is not the first time Sharif has raised the issue with Washington. Earlier in May, he had made similar allegations against New Delhi, claiming that India’s “provocative actions” were destabilizing the region.

Following that earlier conversation, Rubio also spoke with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, reportedly advising caution and dialogue to prevent further escalation.

Pakistan’s Claim: Talks with Indian Army on Ceasefire Violations

The Pakistani military issued a statement on Tuesday, saying that its officials had spoken with the Indian Army regarding recent firing incidents along the LoC. According to Lieutenant General Ahmed Chaudhary, Pakistan discussed ceasefire violations that took place nearly a week earlier.

However, India maintains that its forces were merely responding to unprovoked Pakistani firing. Indian Army officials said they had retaliated against Pakistani firing for the sixth consecutive night on Wednesday.

Adding to the tension, Pakistan claimed that its forces had shot down two Indian drones during the flare-up—an assertion New Delhi has not confirmed.

India’s Strong Response After Pahalgam Attack

The April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which India blames on Pakistan-based terror groups, has been the trigger for the current wave of hostility. Following the attack, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting alleged terrorist hideouts in both Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

In addition to military action, diplomatic ties have also suffered. Both nations expelled each other’s diplomats, while New Delhi asked Pakistani citizens residing in India to leave. India also issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) against Pakistan, warning that any Pakistani aircraft entering Indian airspace would face consequences.

U.S. Caught in the Middle

Washington finds itself once again in the position of mediator. Secretary Rubio is expected to call both sides in the coming days, urging de-escalation. The U.S. has consistently emphasized the importance of stability in South Asia, given the nuclear capabilities of both nations and the global implications of their conflict.

The United States has also maintained that it does not support terrorism in any form, while at the same time pushing for bilateral dialogue between India and Pakistan to resolve disputes peacefully.

Outlook: No Signs of Immediate Calm

Despite U.S. intervention, the situation between India and Pakistan shows little sign of improvement. With military exchanges continuing along the LoC, expulsion of diplomats, and tough rhetoric from both capitals, normalization seems distant.

While India insists Pakistan must stop supporting terrorism, Islamabad continues to deny that its soil is used for militant activity. This blame game has left both countries locked in a familiar cycle of accusations and retaliation.

For now, the Pahalgam attack has once again dragged South Asia into international headlines, with the U.S. and the global community watching closely to see if tensions can be cooled—or if the standoff will spiral further.