WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism, on Wednesday urged the Indian and Pakistani governments to convene emergency high-level talks to de-escalate tensions between the two countries. According to reports, the Pakistani military shot down Indian aircraft over its territory on Wednesday and captured an Indian pilot. A bombing in the disputed Kashmir region on February 14 killed 40 Indian soldiers, the deadliest attack there in three decades. Murphy also called on President Trump to nominate an ambassador to Pakistan. 

“Neither India nor Pakistan can allow this situation to escalate, and I strongly urge both countries to engage in talks and avoid any further military provocation. The United States should not abdicate our diplomatic role here, either. President Trump should quickly nominate a qualified ambassador to Pakistan who can help diffuse tensions,” said Murphy. 

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