US Spokesperson Dodges Question on India-Pakistan Border Tensions
US Sidesteps Question on India-Pakistan Border After Deadly Attack
A US state department spokesperson recently avoided directly addressing questions about rising tensions between India and Pakistan following a tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India. The attack, which occurred on April 22nd, resulted in the loss of 26 lives.
During a press briefing on Thursday, Tammy Bruce, the spokesperson, declined to comment specifically on the border tensions. Instead, she pointed to previous statements made by senior US officials, stating, “I am not going to be remarking on it. I appreciate this, and perhaps, we will come back to you with another subject. I will say nothing more on that situation. The President and the Secretary have said things, as have the deputy secretary; they have made their positions clear. I will not continue with something of that manner.”
The Pahalgam attack, one of the deadliest since the 2019 Pulwama incident, prompted strong reactions from US leaders. Bruce emphasized the US’s stance, saying, “the United States stands with India and strongly condemns all acts of terrorism.” This echoed statements made by President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
President Trump even personally called Prime Minister Narendra Modi to offer condolences and full support in bringing the perpetrators to justice. Vice President JD Vance also reached out to PM Modi, reiterating US solidarity with India and offering assistance in counterterrorism efforts.
In response to the attack, India took several swift diplomatic and security measures. After a high-level meeting chaired by PM Modi, India declared Pakistani defense advisors in New Delhi as Persona Non Grata and withdrew its own from Islamabad. Both countries also agreed to reduce their High Commission staff by nearly half by May 1st. India also took steps such as closing the Attari Integrated Check Post, suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, and canceling visa exemptions for Pakistani nationals under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme. Pakistani nationals in India under SVES visas were given 48 hours to leave.
