India, May 8 -- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday called for immediate de-escalation between India and Pakistan and urged both sides to engage in dialogue.

"Secretary Marco Rubio spoke today with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. The Secretary emphasized the need for immediate de-escalation. He expressed U.S. support for direct dialogue between India and Pakistan and encouraged continued efforts to improve communications," US Department of State said in a statement.

Rubio reiterated his condolences for the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam and reaffirmed the United States' commitment to work with India in the fight against terrorism.

The escalation between the two countries followed the killing o...