ISLAMABAD: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud discussed efforts to de-escalate tensions between Pakistan and India as South Asia faces the risk of a major conflict, his office said on Thursday.
The development follows Indian missile strikes a day earlier that killed 31 people and injured 57 in different Pakistani cities, with New Delhi calling it a response to an April 22 attack in the disputed Kashmir region that left 26 tourists dead and which it blamed on Pakistan despite Islamabad’s repeated denials.
Pakistan said it shot down five Indian fighter jets and destroyed several border posts in the military clash that followed. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif termed the Indian missile attacks a “grave mistake” and warned that New Delhi “will have to face consequences.”
“The secretary and the foreign minister discussed regional security matters, economic engagement and efforts to de-escalate tensions between India and Pakistan,” US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said.
She added the US state secretary also commended the Saudi government for its efforts to help stabilize Syria, to stop the fighting in Sudan and continued engagement with Lebanon and the issues in the Red Sea.
World leaders including President Donald Trump on Wednesday urged restraint and pressed for a peaceful resolution between the nuclear-armed neighbors amid rising fears of a broader military confrontation.
Earlier on Thursday, Pakistan’s military said it had shot down 12 Israeli-made Harop drones launched by India at multiple locations, adding that the cross-border campaign was continuing and had left one civilian dead and four army officers injured.
India and Pakistan have fought multiple wars since independence over the disputed Himalayan region which they both claim in full but control in parts.
Marco Rubio, Saudi FM discuss efforts to de-escalate India-Pakistan tensions
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Marco Rubio, Saudi FM discuss efforts to de-escalate India-Pakistan tensions
- World leaders, including Trump, have urged restraint and called for peaceful resolution of issues between both states
- India launched missile attacks inside Pakistan a day earlier, while Islamabad said it had shot down five fighter jets
Omani, Pakistani navies conduct joint passage exercise to enhance interoperability
- The development came as a Pakistani flotilla visited Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat on overseas deployment
- Pakistan, Oman are maritime neighbors and frequently hold visits of dignitaries, port calls and joint exercises
ISLAMABAD: The Omani and Pakistani navies conducted a joint passage exercise in regional waters aimed at enhancing interoperability and strengthening maritime cooperation between the two countries, Pakistan Navy said on Sunday.
The development came after a Pakistani flotilla, comprising naval ships Rah Naward and Madadgar and a Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) ship PMSS Kashmir, visited Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat, according to the Directorate General Public Relations (DGPR) of Pakistan Navy.
“Following the port call, PN and PMSA ships conducted a passage exercise with Royal Oman Navy ship KHASAB,” the DGPR said in a statement.
“The exercise at sea aimed to enhance interoperability between the two navies and promote shared learning through bilateral conduct of naval exercises.”
During the visit, Pakistani Mission Commander Commodore Amir Iqbal, along with commanding officers, held meetings with Omani naval leadership, according to the statement.
“During these interactions, matters of mutual interest, navy-to-navy engagements, and cooperation in maritime security were discussed,” the statement read.
“RNO (Royal Navy of Oman) officers and midshipmen also visited onboard ships and discussed topics of mutual maritime interest with PN officers.”
Pakistan and Oman are maritime neighbors and frequently hold visits of dignitaries, port calls by ships and joint exercises.
Last month, naval commanders of Pakistan and Oman met in Islamabad and signed an agreement to share shipping information with each other.
“The MoU is aimed at establishing of guidelines and procedures for information sharing in order to enhance mutual awareness of white shipping,” Pakistan Navy said in a statement.
