US extends support for India but shies away from blaming Pakistan as China reiterates Islamabad's rhetoric
On Sunday, the US State Department confirmed that it is in touch with both India and Pakistan, urging them to work towards a “responsible solution,” amid a diplomatic row that ensued between the two nations following the Pahalgam terror attack. Tensions between the nations reached an all-time high after 26 tourists were killed in Kashmir by terrorists who are still at large.
While the US government has publicly expressed support for India, it shied away from blaming Pakistan for the attack. It is pertinent to note that India has blamed Pakistan for the April 22 attack, and Islamabad has denied responsibility, calling for a neutral probe.
“This is an evolving situation, and we are monitoring developments closely. We have been in touch with the governments of India and Pakistan at multiple levels,” a US State Department spokesperson told
Reuters in an emailed statement. “The United States encourages all parties to work together towards a responsible resolution,” the spokesperson added.
The department reiterated the stance taken by US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, saying Washington “stands with India and strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Pahalgam.”
China is inching closer to Pakistan
Meanwhile, China’s foreign minister Wang Yi held a phone call with his Pakistani counterpart and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and said that Beijing supports an “impartial investigation” into the attack. According to
The Global Times, Wang held the phone call on Sunday. In the call, the Chinese foreign minister said it is closely following the evolving situation.
“China fully understands Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns and supports its efforts to uphold its sovereignty and security interests,” the Chinese diplomat said in the call. “China supports the prompt initiation of an impartial investigation, emphasising that conflict serves neither the fundamental interests of India and Pakistan nor regional peace and stability,” he added.
Following the Pahalgam attack, the Indian government gave a brief to foreign envoys about its preliminary findings. China was also present at the meeting, reflecting easing ties between Beijing and New Delhi. It is important to note that when India was struck by the Pulwama attack in 2019, the Chinese envoy was not invited to the same kind of briefing conducted at that time. While India and China are currently in a good place, Beijing’s support for Islamabad can be seen as a matter of concern for New Delhi.
SOURCE:
https://www.firstpost.com/world/pha...-india-pakistan-wang-yi13883570-13883570.html