New Delhi: The US will not get involved in a war between India and Pakistan that is “fundamentally none of our business,” US Vice-President J.D. Vance has said, even as America’s foreign policy chief Marco Rubio has been pushing for de-escalation between the two countries.
“What we’ve said, what Secretary Rubio said, and certainly the president has said is, we want this thing to de-escalate as quickly as possible. We can’t control these countries, though. Fundamentally, India has its gripes with Pakistan. Pakistan has responded to India,” Vance said Thursday in an interview with Fox News.
The American vice-president added: “What we can do is try to encourage these folks to de-escalate a little bit. But we’re not going to get involved in the middle of war, that’s fundamentally none of our business, and has nothing to do with America’s ability to control it. America can’t tell the Indians to lay down their arms. We can’t tell the Pakistanis to lay down their arms.”
Vance has made it clear that the US’ role at the moment is to “pursue” the situation through diplomatic channels to prevent a broader regional conflict. Rubio, the US’ Secretary of State and interim National Security Adviser (NSA), was in touch with both External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Thursday.
In his call with Sharif, Rubio also pushed the Pakistani leader to “take any concrete steps” to end support to terrorist groups—reiterating the US’ message that responsibility for the Pahalgam terrorist attack last month lies with Islamabad.
On the other hand, Rubio, in his call with Jaishankar, “emphasised” the need for de-escalation, while reiterating the US’ commitment to combat terrorism with India. The difference in the language in the readouts of his call between the leaders of India and Pakistan indicate the US’ continued support for New Delhi.
Vance’s comments come after another night of cross-border attacks were seen, with Pakistan using loitering munitions to carry out an aerial strike in Jammu city. The attacks were thwarted by the Indian defence systems. Pakistan’s Army launched multiple attacks across the Western border, which were all thwarted by the Indian armed forces.
The American vice-president was visiting India when terrorists killed 26 people, including one foreign national, in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam. Vance had spoken to the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the attack conveying his condolences.
Last week, Vance had said he hoped that India would respond to the Pahalgam terrorist attack “in a way that does not lead to a broader regional conflict” and called on Islamabad to cooperate with New Delhi in hunting down the terrorists.
Also Read: ‘Best if US tells Pakistan to stop supporting terrorists’: Indian ambassador to US
Rubio urges Pakistan to take action against terrorist groups
The US administration has come out in support of India following the terrorist attack. Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval briefed Rubio in the immediate aftermath of Operation Sindoor—New Delhi’s precision strike against nine terrorist complexes in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Rubio, who is also the US Secretary of State, has echoed the views of US President Donald J. Trump, urging both countries to avoid escalation. Late Thursday evening, hours before Vance’s interview aired, Rubio spoke with both Jaishankar and Sharif.
“Secretary Marco Rubio spoke today with Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. The Secretary emphasized the need for immediate de-escalation. He expressed U.S. support for direct dialogue between India and Pakistan and encouraged continued efforts to improve communications,” Tammy Bruce, spokesperson in the US Department of State, said in a statement.
“The Secretary expressed sorrow for the reported loss of civilian lives in the current conflict. He reiterated his calls for Pakistan to take concrete steps to end any support for terrorist groups,” the spokesperson added.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
Also Read: US Republican leader Nikki Haley backs Op Sindoor, says ‘Pakistan does not get to play the victim’
This essentially means that the US will not protect Pakistan. India may do as it pleases.
Thanks President Trump!
It’s good that the US realises that it’s none of it’s business.