Washington/New Delhi, May 2 (UNI) Backing India’s stance that the Pahalgam terrorist attack was overseen by handlers in Pakistan, the US Vice President JD Vance has asked Islamabad to cooperate with New Delhi and ensure that the terrorists are hunted down and dealt with.
Vance also said that the US is in touch with both Pakistan and India, and expressed hope that New Delhi’s response to the April 22 terrorist attack does not lead to a broader regional conflict.
Asked by Fox News if the Trump administration is worried about the breakout of tensions between India and Pakistan, he said:
“Sure, I am worried about anytime you see a hotspot breaking out, especially between two nuclear powers.
“We’ve obviously been in close contact with our friends in India and Pakistan.
“Our hope is that India responds to this terrorist attack in a way that doesn’t lead to a broader regional conflict.
“And we hope frankly that Pakistan, to the extent that they are responsible, cooperates with India to make sure that the terrorists, sometimes operating in their territory, are hunted down and dealt with.
“That’s how we hope this unfolds; we are obviously in close contact. We’ll see what happens.”
The US VP’s statement comes after the US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth spoke with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday and reiterated full support of the US government in India’s fight against terrorism.
“US stands in solidarity with India and supports India’s right to defend itself,” a Defence Ministry statement quoted him as saying.
During the conversation, Rajnath told Pete Hegseth that Pakistan has a history of supporting, training and funding terrorist organisations.
“Pakistan has been exposed as a rogue state, fuelling global terrorism, and destabilising the region. The world can no longer turn a blind eye to terrorism,” Rajnath said.
He added that it is important for the global community to explicitly and unequivocally condemn and call out such heinous acts of terrorism.
Notably, 26 tourists were killed in the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Following the dastardly act, India took stringent measures against Pakistan, including holding the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, closing the Integrated Check Post Attari, asking all Pakistani nationals to leave India, downsizing the Pakistani HC staff as well as its own in Islamabad. Pakistan has also replied in kind, suspending the 1972 Shimla Agreement, stopping use of its airspace by Indian aircraft, among other measures.
UNI RN