US in touch with India and Pakistan

WASHINGTON: The U.S. State Department said Washington was in touch with both India and Pakistan while urging them to work towards what it called a “responsible solution” as tensions have risen between the two Asian nations following a recent Islamist militant attack in Kashmir.

In public, the U.S. government has expressed support for India after the attack but has not criticized Pakistan. India blamed Pakistan for the April 22 attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed over two dozen people. Pakistan denies responsibility and called 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 U.S. 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 State Department spokesperson also said Washington “stands with India and strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Pahalgam,” reiterating comments similar to recent ones made by President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

India is an increasingly important U.S. partner as Washington aims to counter China’s rising influence in Asia while Pakistan remains a U.S. ally even as its importance for Washington has diminished after the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from neighboring Afghanistan.