PM Modi has President Trump's 'full support': US on Pahalgam response

US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said on Thursday (local time) that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has the full support of US President Donald Trump and his administration in the nation’s fight against terrorism.

This comes as New Delhi seeks a strong response to the Pahalgam terror attack , to which New Delhi has alleged cross-border links.

She further said that the US is in regular contact with both India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack, in which Pakistan-based terrorists killed 26 innocent people, mostly tourists.

“We are monitoring closely. Yesterday, the Secretary spoke with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. As President Donald Trump articulated to Prime Minister Modi last week, the United States stands strong with India
against terrorism, and Prime Minister Modi has our full support,” she said.

“The Secretary encouraged both countries to work toward a responsible solution that maintains a responsible resolution that maintains long-term peace and regional stability in South Asia. We continue to be in touch with the governments of both countries, as I mentioned, at multiple levels,” she added.

When asked if the calls for de-escalation were being heeded, Bruce said, “We are asking for a responsible resolution from both parties. And beyond that, there’s nothing I can give you, any other details.”

Rubio speaks to Jaishankar, Shehbaz Sharif

Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke separately with External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Wednesday, following his call with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, as tensions between India and Pakistan increased.

The US has encouraged India and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions, reaffirming its commitment to cooperate with New Delhi against terrorism.

The Pahalgam attack is one of the deadliest in Jammu and Kashmir since the 2019 Pulwama.  The Resistance Front (TRF), a group linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack.

India’s strong response to attack

India downgraded diplomatic ties, suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, reduced Pakistan’s diplomatic presence in New Delhi, and expelled military officials. The Attari check post was also closed.

Pakistan responded to the measures, announcing it would withdraw from the 1972 Simla Agreement and close the Wagah border.