Mr. Vance claimed the U.S. is in “close contact” with both countires, he told India to ensure that the response to Pahalgam terror attack doesn’t broaden conflict, and Pakistan to “hunt down” terrorists.
The United States is in “close contact” with India and Pakistan, according to comments attributed to senior U.S. officials on Friday (May 2, 2025) expressing concerns about rising tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack. Statements reported from U.S. Vice-President J. D. Vance’s office, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth called on India to ensure its responses don’t lead to a larger conflict. Mr. Vance has also recommended Pakistan to “hunt down” the terrorists operating from the territory it controls.
Alongside security concerns, comments attributed to the U.S. Vice-President’s office also touched upon trade, referencing recent talks furthered by a high-level visit to India. While calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “tough negotiator,” these reported remarks criticised India for allegedly “taking advantage” of the U.S. for a “long time”, and “closing off” its market to U.S. agricultural products.
The reported comments weighing in on the situation follow earlier statements attributed to Mr. Rubio and Mr. Hegseth, indicating the U.S. is watching the situation closely but maintaining a degree of ambiguity about its position.
“We have obviously been in close contact with our friends in India and Pakistan,” Mr. Vance said in an interview with U.S. television channel Fox, adding expressions of worry about tensions between the two nuclear powers. “Our hope here is that India responds to this terrorist attack [in Pahalgam] in a way that doesn’t lead to a broader regional conflict,” he explained.
“We hope that Pakistan, to the extent that they are responsible, cooperates with India to make sure that the terrorists sometimes operating in their territory, are hunted down and dealt with,” Mr. Vance added, without specifically blaming Pakistan or The Resistance Front (TRF) terrorist group that initially claimed responsibility for the attack.
During the Fox interview, Mr. Vance also suggested the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) being negotiated would “rebalance” the U.S.-India trade relationship.
“The Indian market is effectively closed off to American farmers,” Mr. Vance said, referring to India’s non-tariff barriers and restricted market access for American grain, meat, farm products, and dairy, including GMO foods. “What our India deal [BTA] will do fundamentally, is open up India to American technology. It will open up India to American farmers, create more good American jobs,” he added.
The Ministry of External Affairs did not offer a response to Mr. Vance’s comments.
Mr. Rubio, who spoke to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif earlier this week, had condemned the attack and called for both countries to “work together to de-escalate the situation”. Mr. Hegseth was reportedly more unequivocal about U.S. support for India’s right to defend itself, according to a readout by the Defence Ministry in Delhi after he spoke to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
In a post on X, Mr. Hegseth expressed condolences for those killed in the “heinous terrorist attack”. “I offered my strong support. We stand with India and its great people,” the post stated.
‘Worried’ about tensions between nuclear powers, says U.S. Vice-President Vance
Mr. Vance claimed the U.S. is in “close contact” with both countires, he told India to ensure that the response to Pahalgam terror attack doesn’t broaden conflict, and Pakistan to “hunt down” terrorists.
The United States is in “close contact” with India and Pakistan, according to comments attributed to senior U.S. officials on Friday (May 2, 2025) expressing concerns about rising tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack. Statements reported from U.S. Vice-President J. D. Vance’s office, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth called on India to ensure its responses don’t lead to a larger conflict. Mr. Vance has also recommended Pakistan to “hunt down” the terrorists operating from the territory it controls.
Alongside security concerns, comments attributed to the U.S. Vice-President’s office also touched upon trade, referencing recent talks furthered by a high-level visit to India. While calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “tough negotiator,” these reported remarks criticised India for allegedly “taking advantage” of the U.S. for a “long time”, and “closing off” its market to U.S. agricultural products.
The reported comments weighing in on the situation follow earlier statements attributed to Mr. Rubio and Mr. Hegseth, indicating the U.S. is watching the situation closely but maintaining a degree of ambiguity about its position.
“We have obviously been in close contact with our friends in India and Pakistan,” Mr. Vance said in an interview with U.S. television channel Fox, adding expressions of worry about tensions between the two nuclear powers. “Our hope here is that India responds to this terrorist attack [in Pahalgam] in a way that doesn’t lead to a broader regional conflict,” he explained.
“We hope that Pakistan, to the extent that they are responsible, cooperates with India to make sure that the terrorists sometimes operating in their territory, are hunted down and dealt with,” Mr. Vance added, without specifically blaming Pakistan or The Resistance Front (TRF) terrorist group that initially claimed responsibility for the attack.
During the Fox interview, Mr. Vance also suggested the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) being negotiated would “rebalance” the U.S.-India trade relationship.
“The Indian market is effectively closed off to American farmers,” Mr. Vance said, referring to India’s non-tariff barriers and restricted market access for American grain, meat, farm products, and dairy, including GMO foods. “What our India deal [BTA] will do fundamentally, is open up India to American technology. It will open up India to American farmers, create more good American jobs,” he added.
The Ministry of External Affairs did not offer a response to Mr. Vance’s comments.
Mr. Rubio, who spoke to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif earlier this week, had condemned the attack and called for both countries to “work together to de-escalate the situation”. Mr. Hegseth was reportedly more unequivocal about U.S. support for India’s right to defend itself, according to a readout by the Defence Ministry in Delhi after he spoke to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
In a post on X, Mr. Hegseth expressed condolences for those killed in the “heinous terrorist attack”. “I offered my strong support. We stand with India and its great people,” the post stated.
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