The United States reiterated that it stands in solidarity with India and supports the country's right to defend itself.
New Delhi: As tensions between India and Pakistan continue to rise in the wake of the barbaric terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, diplomatic parleys have also intensified to persuade both the nuclear powers not to get into a military brawl.
There have been several high-profile meetings in India to discuss a befitting reply to terrorism being delivered from across the border to destabilize the Indian economy and peace.
The country has announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, the shutdown of the Attari border, the cancellation of visas of Pakistani nationals, the blockade of many of its YouTube channels and X handles, and downgrading the diplomatic ties with Pakistan by downsizing the already truncated staff in embassies, thereby forcing them back to their country of origin.
In a significant development, India has also shut its airspace for Pakistan-owned and operated flights till May 23, days after Islamabad decided to shut its airspace to all flights owned and operated by Indian carriers.
Despite repeated warnings, Pakistani troops continued ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) by their unprovoked firing in several sectors across three border districts of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said, adding that the Indian military responded proportionately.
US stands in solidarity with India
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh held a telephonic conversation on May 1. During the talks, America expressed deep condolences for the Pahalgam terrorist attack, while India told the US that Pakistan has been supporting, training, and funding terrorists.
The US Secretary of Defense expressed his sympathies and condolences for the tragic loss of innocent civilian lives in the recent dastardly attack by terrorists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
“Pakistan has been exposed as a rogue state, fuelling global terrorism and destabilizing the region. The world can no longer turn a blind eye to terrorism,” Rajnath Singh said, adding that it is important for the global community to explicitly and unequivocally condemn and call out such heinous acts of terrorism.
The US Secretary of Defense reiterated full support of the Trump administration in India’s fight against terrorism. “US stands in solidarity with India and supports India’s right to defend itself,” said Hegseth.
'Perpetrators, planners must be brought to justice’
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that he discussed the Pahalgam terror attack with the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and said the perpetrators and planners have to be brought to justice. In a post on X, the Jaishankar wrote, “Discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack with US@SecRubio yesterday. Its perpetrators, backers, and planners must be brought to justice.”
The post comes after Rubio spoke with Jaishankar and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, amid escalating tensions between the two countries. Rubio urged the leaders of both countries to work to de-escalate tensions between them and maintain peace and security in South Asia.
He reaffirmed the US's commitment to cooperate with India against terrorism and urged Pakistan's cooperation in investigating the "unconscionable" attack in Kashmir and stressed the need to condemn it.
