WASHINGTON

The US is closely monitoring the situation between India and Pakistan following missile strikes by India against targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday.

Rubio also expressed hope for a quick resolution in the post on X.

"I echo @POTUS's comments earlier today that this hopefully ends quickly and will continue to engage both Indian and Pakistani leadership towards a peaceful resolution," he said, referring to President Donald Trump's remarks earlier in the day.

Trump had addressed the issue during a press briefing, emphasizing the importance of de-escalation between the two nuclear-armed nations.

Asked for his reaction to the attacks, he said: "It's a shame. We just heard about it just as we were walking in the doors of the Oval (Office)."

"I just hope it ends very quickly," he added.

Rubio, who is also serving as national security advisor, held talks with the national security advisors of India and Pakistan earlier Tuesday, according to the State Department.

"Earlier this afternoon, @SecRubio spoke to the national security advisors from India and Pakistan. He urged both to keep lines of communication open and avoid escalation," the State Department wrote on x.

The statement came after India said it launched missile strikes under what it dubbed "Operation Sindoor," targeting sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir.

The escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbors comes in the wake of an April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir in which 26 people were killed.

India blamed Pakistan for the attack, claiming there were cross-border links. Pakistan denied that it had anything to do with the killings.