What happened?
On Thursday, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth conveyed to India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh the US government’s support for India’s right to self-defence and its fight against terrorism, offering condolences for the 22 April Pahalgam attack victims. Singh described Pakistan as a “rogue state” fuelling terrorism. Separately, on Wednesday evening, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging de-escalation. Jaishankar reiterated to Rubio that those behind the attack must be brought to justice. The US encouraged Pakistan to cooperate with India’s investigation. Tensions remained high, with small-arms fire across the Line of Control and the Attari-Wagah border reportedly shut. Pakistan’s Army Chief warned against Indian “military misadventure”. Concurrently, the US approved a $131 million sale of military hardware and support assets to India.
Why it matters to India
US affirmation of India’s right to self-defence provides crucial diplomatic backing amidst heightened tensions following the Pahalgam attack, strengthening India’s position as it considers response options. While the US urges de-escalation, its support acknowledges India’s security concerns stemming from cross-border terrorism. The simultaneous approval of a $131 million military sale underscores the deepening India-US strategic defence partnership, enhancing India’s military preparedness. This complex situation requires India to balance its resolve for counter-terrorism action with regional stability concerns, navigating diplomatic pressures while maintaining its security interests against perceived threats from Pakistan.