US State Department official Tammy Bruce declined to comment on whether there was rising tension between Pakistan and India following the heinous April 22 terrorist attack at Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 individuals died and several others were injured.
When asked about it at a Thursday afternoon press briefing, Bruce said, "I am not going to be commenting on it. I appreciate that, and perhaps we will get back to you on something else. I am saying nothing more about that situation. The President and the Secretary have spoken, as have the deputy secretary; they have made their statements. I will not take something of that sort further."
The Tuesday attack on Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam resulted in 26 deaths and injured several, one of the highest fatality rates in the area since the 2019 Pulwama attack, which claimed the lives of 40 CRPF personnel.
Bruce supported the United States stance at the briefing by stating that US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio had given everyone the assurance that the US is firmly behind India in the fight against terrorism. She provided sympathy to the families and victims and stated, "We pray for the lives of those who lost their lives and pray for the healing of the wounded and call on the perpetrators of this evil act to be held accountable."
Following the devastating incident, the US government reiterated its strong backing of India. President Trump phoned Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday to extend condolences for those who lost their lives in the terror attack. Trump denounced the attack in strongest possible terms and reiterated his wholehearted backing of India to seek justice against the perpetrators.
On social media, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted that President Trump had sent his deepest sympathies to Prime Minister Modi, condemned the attack, and said that he was standing in support of India in seeking justice. He also underlined the sustained cooperation between India and the United States in the fight against terrorism.
US Vice President JD Vance also phoned Prime Minister Modi to condemn the attack, extend condolences, and share the US's solidarity with India during these challenging times. Vance indicated a willingness to assist in the common fight against terrorism, which PM Modi welcomed.
Yet another demonstration of US support, Secretary of State Marco Rubio also took to social media, stating, "The United States stands with India."
In the aftermath of the attack, India has acted decisively against Pakistan, accusing it of supporting cross-border terrorism. The Prime Minister convened a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Wednesday that lasted over two hours. Present at the meeting were top ministers such as Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri later briefed the media on a number of steps that had been taken in response to the attack. The decisions included the expulsion of Pakistani Defence, Navy, and Air Advisors from India's High Commission in New Delhi, who were declared persona non grata. These advisors, along with five support staff, were asked to depart within a week. In response, India announced a decision that it will call a back its own advisors at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, and these would be withdrawn.
Additionally, the Integrated Check Post at Attari was shut down with immediate effect. Misri said that those who had crossed with valid endorsements would be allowed to come back through the post up to May 1, 2025.
The Cabinet also resolved to put the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan on hold "until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism." Further, Pakistani nationals were no longer to be dispatched to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES). Visas already issued under SVES were withdrawn, and any Pakistani nationals who chanced to be in India on these visas were instructed that they have to leave the country within 48 hours.
The Foreign Secretary concluded by saying that further reductions in diplomatic staff would be made by May 1, 2025, reducing the staff in the High Commissions from 55 to 30.
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