The United States has issued a measured response to the recent deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir’s Pahalgam region, calling for justice while refraining from taking a position on the broader Kashmir dispute.
During a press briefing, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce condemned the terrorist attack, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists, and expressed condolences to the victims and their families.
“We mourn the loss of life in this tragic incident and extend our prayers for a swift recovery to those injured,” said Bruce. She emphasized the importance of bringing the perpetrators to justice and holding those responsible accountable.
When asked whether the U.S. administration, under President Donald Trump in his second term, intends to play a mediating role between India and Pakistan—as he had previously suggested during his first term—Bruce declined to comment. “President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have already spoken on the matter. Their positions are clear, and I have nothing further to add at this time,” she stated.
U.S. Closely Monitoring the Situation
Regarding the escalating tensions between the two South Asian neighbors following the Pahalgam attack, Bruce confirmed that the U.S. is “closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation.” However, she clarified that the United States is not adopting any stance on the status of Kashmir or Jammu at this time.
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“We’re watching events as they unfold, but we are not taking a position on the status of Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.
The attack in Pahalgam, in which unidentified gunmen killed 26 Indian tourists, including two foreign nationals and a naval officer, has further strained already fragile relations between India and Pakistan. The incident has drawn international attention, with concerns mounting over the potential for escalation between the two nuclear-armed rivals.
