US to speak with India, Pakistan after Pahalgam attack, urges dialogue

The United States has stated it is closely monitoring developments in the Indian subcontinent following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed that Secretary of State Antony Blinken will engage with the foreign ministers of both India and Pakistan to discuss the situation.

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Speaking at a press briefing, Bruce said, “The Secretary of State will speak with the foreign ministers of both countries. We’re also monitoring the developments across the board in that region, and we, as you know, are at multiple levels in touch with the governments of India and Pakistan. Not just at the Foreign Minister level, but at multiple levels.”

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The United States has also urged both nations to work together to find what it termed “a responsible solution.” Bruce said, “We, of course, are encouraging all parties to work together for a responsible solution. The world is watching this, but I have no additional details in that regard.”

The comments from the US State Department came in response to questions surrounding remarks made by a Pakistani minister. The Pakistani minister had claimed that Pakistan had conducted “dirty work” for the United States while denying the presence of Lashkar-e-Taiba within Pakistan’s borders. The remarks drew attention amid heightened regional tensions.

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However, Bruce did not comment directly on the Pakistani minister’s statement. She reiterated that diplomatic conversations between the United States and both governments are ongoing and emphasised that multiple channels of communication are being utilised.

The US position comes as regional tensions have escalated after the Pahalgam attack, in which at least 26 people were killed. The situation continues to draw international attention, and the United States has underlined the importance of dialogue between India and Pakistan in managing the fallout of the incident.

Amid growing calls for retaliation against Pakistan over its alleged support for cross-border terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting on Tuesday to assess the security situation. During the review, PM Modi asserted that the armed forces have "complete operational freedom" to determine the mode, targets, and timing of India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack.