U.S. Vice President JD Vance has called for Pakistan to collaborate with India in tracking down Pakistan-based militants following a deadly Islamist militant attack in India-administered Kashmir on April 22, 2025, which claimed 26 lives. In an interview on Fox News’ Special Report with Bret Baier, Vance expressed Washington’s hope that India’s response to the attack remains measured to avoid escalating into a broader regional conflict. “Our hope here is that India responds to this terrorist attack in a way that doesn’t lead to a broader regional conflict,” he stated. “And we hope, frankly, that Pakistan, to the extent that they’re responsible, cooperates with India to make sure that the terrorists sometimes operating in their territory are hunted down and dealt with.”
The remarks represent the closest the U.S. government has come to linking Pakistan to extremist activities in India since the Pahalgam attack, one of the deadliest on civilians in the Kashmir Valley in recent years. India has accused Pakistan of supporting the militants, alleging ties to the Pakistan-based group Lashkar-e-Taiba, with Indian police identifying two of the four suspected attackers as Pakistani nationals. Pakistan has denied these allegations, rejecting claims of involvement and calling for an independent investigation.
Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors have soared, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowing to punish those responsible and granting the military “operational freedom” to respond. Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar cited “credible intelligence” of an imminent Indian military strike, while sporadic cross-border skirmishes have persisted for days. India has escalated diplomatic measures, including pausing the Indus Waters Treaty, expelling Pakistani military attachés, and closing the Attari-Wagah border.
The U.S., balancing its strategic partnerships with both nations, has urged de-escalation. India is a key ally in countering China’s influence, while Pakistan, though less critical since the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, remains a regional partner. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held separate calls with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on April 30, 2025, encouraging dialogue and cooperation in investigating the attack. President Donald Trump and other U.S. leaders have condemned the attack as “unconscionable,” offering support to India without directly implicating Pakistan.
Vance’s comments, made during a visit to India on the day of the attack, underscore Washington’s delicate position. His presence in Jaipur for a diplomatic mission aimed at strengthening U.S.-India ties coincided with the violence, amplifying the significance of his call for restraint and cooperation. As fears of military escalation grow—evidenced by Pakistan shutting over 1,000 religious schools and residents fortifying bunkers—the U.S. continues to advocate for a “responsible solution” to prevent a wider conflict in the volatile region.
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