US Vice President Urges Pakistan to Collaborate with India Against Terrorism

US Vice President's Call for Cooperation

On Thursday, Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, expressed hope that India's reaction to the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, would not escalate into a larger regional conflict.

He urged Pakistan to work alongside India in the fight against terrorism.

In a discussion with a news media outlet, Vance stated, “We sincerely hope that Pakistan, if they bear any responsibility, will collaborate with India to ensure that terrorists operating from their territory are pursued and dealt with.”

However, he expressed concern about the potential for conflict, especially between two nuclear nations, saying, “I worry whenever a hotspot emerges.” He noted that the United States is maintaining close communication with both India and Pakistan.

These comments followed a terrorist attack on April 22 at Baisaran, near Pahalgam, which resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals and injuries to 17 others. Reports indicate that the attackers targeted tourists based on their names to determine their religious affiliations, with all but three of the deceased being Hindu.

Earlier that day, the US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, communicated with India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, affirming Washington's support for India's right to self-defense in light of the tragic incident.

Hegseth expressed condolences for the lives lost in what he termed a “dastardly terror attack” in Pahalgam. Singh responded by highlighting Pakistan's longstanding history of supporting and funding terrorist groups.

On April 27, the US reiterated its commitment to engaging with both nations, encouraging them to seek a “responsible solution” to the tensions stemming from the attack.

On the same day as the attack, President Donald Trump condemned the violence and reaffirmed the United States' solidarity with India in the fight against terrorism.