With tensions escalating between India and Pakistan after Indian airstrikes on terrorist launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, United States President Donald Trump has spoken up, offering a gesture of his support while urging the two countries to dial down the increasing conflict.
Calling the developments "terrible," Trump expressed his hope for peace, referring to his close relationship with both India and Pakistan. "I get along with both of them. I know both very well and I would love to see them call it quits. I would love to see them call it quits and hopefully, they can call it quits now. They have gone tit for tat, so hopefully, they can call it quits now. We get along with both the countries very well," he said.
He also added that he was ready to assist if necessary, and that, "I have good relationships with both, and I want to see it stop. And if I can do anything to help, I will be there."
India's Operation Sindoor airstrike was carried out early on Wednesday morning against nine terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan. The action was taken as a retaliatory step against the terror attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 lives were lost.
In reaction to the development, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also reacted to the escalation of tensions. Rubio confirmed that he was following closely the situation between India and Pakistan following India's missile attacks on some terror sites. On social media site X, Rubio said, "I am following closely the situation between India and Pakistan. I share President Trump's sentiments earlier today that this hopefully comes to a close soon and will continue to urge both Indian and Pakistani leadership toward a peaceful outcome."
On Tuesday, Trump had already released a statement on India's Operation Sindoor, hoping that the hostilities would end "very quickly." He said, "It's a shame," then added, "We heard about it just as we were coming in the doors of the Oval (Office). I guess people knew something was going to happen based on a little bit of the past."
Trump continued, "They've been fighting for a very long time. They've been fighting for many, many decades and centuries, really, when you actually put it in perspective."
Asked if he would like the countries involved to have a message for him, Trump replied simply, "No, I just hope it ends very quickly."
Read also| Operation Sindoor Fallout: Defiant Shehbaz Sharif Vows to Fight Till the End
Read also| Pakistan Notifies UNSC, Asserts Right to Respond to Operation Sindoor
