By Samantha Lee, Senior Foreign Affairs Correspondent
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Key Takeaway
The United States, speaking through Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has urged both India and Pakistan to de‑escalate military activities along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir following last month’s Pahalgam terror attack.
Background: The Pahalgam Attack
On April 22, five militants struck a tourist campsite in Pahalgam, Indian‑administered Kashmir, killing 26 civilians and injuring 20 more. India immediately blamed Pakistan‑based Lashkar‑e‑Taiba, which denied responsibility. The attack reignited cross‑border exchanges of gunfire and missile strikes in early May—raising fears of a wider conflict en.wikipedia.org.
What US Officials Are Saying
- J.D. Vance, US Vice President (May 1):
“I hope Pakistan will cooperate with India in pursuing those responsible, and I urge both sides to avoid expanding this into a regional war.” reuters.com - Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State (May 8):
“We offered to assist India and Pakistan in initiating constructive talks and urged direct dialogue amid heightened hostilities.” usnews.com
Expert Analysis
Michael Kugelman, South Asia analyst at the Wilson Center, notes that “India’s strategic partnership with the US may worry Islamabad—fearing Washington’s tilt toward New Delhi in counter‑terror imperatives” telegraphindia.com. His insight underscores the delicate balance Washington must strike to maintain credibility with both nuclear‑armed neighbors.
Timeline of Recent Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| April 22 | Terror attack in Pahalgam kills 26 civilians. |
| April 27 | US State Department confirms contact with both governments. peoplenewstoday.com |
| May 1 | VP Vance calls for Pakistan‑India cooperation, urges restraint. reuters.com |
| May 2 | US publicly urges both nations to de‑escalate. nrutimes.com |
| May 8 | G7 nations, led by the US, push for direct dialogue. usnews.com |
| June 18 | Modi clarifies India‑US relations at G7, dispelling third‑party mediation claims. reuters.com |
Daily Digest
- Latest US Move (June 18): At the G7 summit, PM Modi refuted US mediation claims, reaffirming India‑Pakistan ceasefire was bilaterally negotiated reuters.com.
- Next Steps: The US has offered to host a trilateral tabletop exercise to build confidence. Schedule pending.
Fact‑Check
| Claim | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|
| US formally mediated the May ceasefire | False | Modi’s statement to Trump reuters.com |
| Lashkar‑e‑Taiba took responsibility | Unverified | TRF denied claim; investigation ongoing |
| Cross‑border casualties exceed 50 since April attack | Partially True | India reports 38 LoC violations by Pakistan |
What Happens Next?
- Diplomatic Track: US‑led working group to reconvene in Washington.
- Military Hotline: Reactivation of “hotline” between Indian and Pakistani army chiefs.
- UN Oversight: Secretary‑General Guterres calls for “maximum restraint” and may dispatch observers bworldonline.com.
