Washington (TDI): US Vice President JD Vance said on Thursday that Washington hoped that India’s response to the recent attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) does not lead to a broader regional conflict.
The terrorist attack in Pahalgam killed 26 people on April 22, mostly tourists, marking one of the deadliest assaults in the occupied valley since 2000. India has implied cross-border links without proof, while Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership have rejected the allegation and called for a neutral investigation.
“We hope that India will respond to this terrorist attack in a way that doesn’t lead to a broader regional conflict,” Vance said in an interview on Fox News’ program.
Top US leaders, including President Donald Trump, have condemned the attack, terming it “terror” and “unconscionable,” while expressing backing for India.
India is a key US partner as Washington wants to counter China’s rising influence.
In recent days, Washington urged Islamabad and New Delhi to work with each other to de-escalate tensions and arrive at a “responsible solution.”
Read More: US Steps in as Pakistan-India Tensions Reach Boiling Point
The US State Department has said it was in touch with both countries at multiple levels and Secretary of State Marco Rubio held calls on Wednesday with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
Jaishankar told Rubio that the perpetrators should be brought to justice. Pakistan says military action by New Delhi was imminent.
After the attack, India suspended the Indus Water Treaty, and both nations closed airspace to each other’s airlines. They also exchanged fire across their border.
Read More: India Intends Military Action Against Pakistan in Next 24-36 Hours: Tarar
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Nations Asim Iftikhar Ahmad called on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday and discussed the latest developments in South Asia.
“The discussion focused on the evolving security situation in the region as well as the need of de-escalation and the efforts being made to that effect,” according to a press release issued by the Pakistan Mission to the UN.
“The ambassador reiterated Islamabad’s commitment to regional peace and stability,” it added.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
