Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the need for “immediate de-escalation” as he spoke with leaders from both countries.

Amid domestic discontent and economic woes, Pakistan’s military will face pressure to respond forcefully to any Indian attack, risking an escalatory cycle. Islamabad also has ever closer ties with Beijing, with a leg of China’s Belt and Road Initiative running through Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

India has launched military strikes against a number of sites in Pakistan and Pakistan’s side of the disputed region of Kashmir, reportedly killing at least 31 people and injuring dozens more. India claimed the attacks were on terrorist infrastructure,