US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce has said that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged de-escalation and expressed support for direct dialogue in separate calls with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Reuters reports.

Rubio, in both phone calls, “emphasised the need for immediate de-escalation”, Bruce said in readouts of the calls.

“He expressed US support for direct dialogue between India and Pakistan and encouraged continued efforts to improve communications,” Bruce said.

Showing the delicate balancing act of Rubio’s diplomacy, the two State Department spokespersons’ readouts, sent out within a minute of each other, also included tailored messages for each side.

He expressed sorrow to PM Shehbaz for the loss of civilian lives in the current conflict. To Jaishankar, Rubio reaffirmed his commitment to work with India in the fight against terrorism, Bruce said.