The United States has reaffirmed its strong support of India's position on fighting terror, as well as its commitment to the strategic partnership between the two countries, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said on Tuesday (local time).
This renewed backing comes after diplomatic efforts by an Indian all-party delegation headed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor who traveled across the US and various other nations to champion India's zero-tolerance approach to terrorism, PTI reported.
Tharoor met with US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau during his visit to the US. Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Bruce confirmed that Landau had relayed Washington's strong and unshakeable backing of India's anti-terror drive.
The visit of the delegation was in pursuance of the larger international outreach policy of the Indian government following 'Operation Sindoor'—a precision surgical strike against terror hotspots in nine places in Pakistan and PoK. The operation was initiated following the April 22 terror attack on Pahalgam which killed 26, including mainly tourists.
Notably, the Indian delegates were in Washington concurrently with a Pakistani delegation headed by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Bruce told journalists that the Pakistani leaders met with US State Department leaders, including Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker.
As per Bruce, Hooker reaffirmed US commitment to the existing de-escalation of hostilities between Pakistan and India. Their meeting also touched upon important aspects of US-Pakistan relations, with an emphasis on cooperation in counterterrorism.
Bruce was also asked about then-US President Donald Trump's earlier comments indicating a willingness to broker a deal on the Kashmir dispute. Reacting, she stated, "I certainly can't speak to what's on the mind or the agenda of the President. What I do know is that I believe we all understand that President Trump, in every step he takes, it's making to resolve generational differences among nations, a generational war." She went further stating that Trump's tendency towards mediation "should not surprise anyone.
She continued her comments, with Bruce saying, "So, I don't know what he [Trump] is planning, the world knows his character, and I can't comment on any of the specifics of what he might have in that context. But it's a thrilling time that if we can get to a place in that specific war."
India, however, has categorically turned down Trump's proposal to mediate on Kashmir, again asserting that Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, are "integral" to the country.
As a writer of its global diplomatic efforts, the Indian government sent seven all-party delegations to 33 nations to convey a uniform national position. Tharoor was part of the delegation that visited Brazil, Colombia, and the United States.
The delegations had interactions with legislators, policy think tanks, and government representatives, as well as included members from more than one political party, former ministers, and veteran diplomats.
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