The United States has issued a warning to India, urging caution in its response to the recent deadly attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), amid rising regional tensions. US Vice President JD Vance emphasized that Washington does not want the incident to spiral into a wider conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
“We hope India reacts to this attack in a way that prevents a broader regional escalation,” Vance stated during an appearance on Fox News. He also noted that the US expects Pakistan to assist in identifying and confronting any militant elements involved, “to the extent that they’re responsible.”
The April 22 attack in Pahalgam claimed the lives of 26 individuals, mostly tourists, marking one of the most devastating attacks in the region since 2000. India has hinted at cross-border involvement, while Pakistan has categorically denied the accusation and called for an impartial international investigation.
President Donald Trump and other senior US officials condemned the attack and offered support to India, though they avoided assigning direct blame to Pakistan. Washington continues to view both countries as important players in regional stability, even as Pakistan’s strategic significance has shifted following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has held separate discussions with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging both sides to act responsibly and seek de-escalation.
In the aftermath of the attack, India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, closed its airspace to Pakistani carriers, and launched retaliatory fire across the Line of Control (LoC). In response, Pakistan has curtailed the presence of Indian diplomatic personnel and reiterated its denial of involvement.
At the United Nations, Pakistan’s Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad met with Secretary-General António Guterres to address the rising tensions in South Asia. A press release from Pakistan’s mission reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to peace and regional security.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric confirmed that Guterres had spoken with both Indian and Pakistani leadership and had offered his mediation services. However, a visit to the region is not expected unless both nations request his intervention.
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