Washington: Top US lawmakers have said that the escalating tension between Pakistan and India is “deeply alarming” and asked the two nuclear-armed countries to settle their differences through negotiations and not war. Some prominent American think-tanks have also warned that Pakistan should dismantle terrorist groups in the country to de-escalate tensions or else it can spark an “unforeseen war”.
Democratic presidential aspirant Tulsi Gabbard said, “To our friends in India and Pakistan: As nuclear powers, please remember it’s your responsibility to the global community to settle differences through negotiations — not war. In times like this, cool heads must prevail.” “The world is praying you will have the courage to work for peace,” said Gabbard, the first Hindu elected to US Congress and a four-time Democratic lawmaker.
Gabbard till this January was Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus for India and Indian Americans. Congressman Brad Sherman, Chairman of House Foreign Affairs Sub-committee on Asia, the Pacific, and Nonproliferation hoped that the two countries will exercise maximum restraint. “We all hope that India and Pakistan will exercise maximum restraint during the current crisis. Diplomacy is the only path to resolve this conflict,” he said. Senator Ed Markey said the heightening tensions between Pak and India are “deeply alarming”. “We must not allow conventional tensions to go nuclear,” Markey said.