Daijiworld Media Network - New York
New York, Sep 25: A senior U.S. State Department official has reiterated that Washington views its relationships with India and Pakistan as distinct and independent, pushing back against concerns of a revival of the Cold War-era "hyphenated" approach in American foreign policy.
Briefing reporters on Wednesday (local time), the official emphasized that the U.S. continues to approach India and Pakistan separately, adding, “They’re quite different relationships. We look at them individually through the lens of advancing American interests.”
The clarification comes amid apprehensions, particularly in India, that recent comments by President Donald Trump — suggesting U.S. involvement in easing Indo-Pak tensions — could signal a shift back to viewing the two nations as a strategic pair, or “re-hyphenation.”
On the issue of Kashmir, the official maintained the long-standing U.S. position that it is “a direct issue between India and Pakistan” and that Washington has no desire to mediate unless explicitly requested. “President Trump has said he’s willing to help if asked, but we’re not seeking involvement. He already has enough crises to manage,” the official stated.
Despite India’s firm rejection of any third-party mediation and its assertion that the resolution of recent tensions came through bilateral engagement, the U.S. official stuck to Trump’s narrative, saying, “It is a fact that the United States was involved in that crisis.” The official added that India’s denial could be aimed at its domestic audience: “The Indian government has a domestic constituency they have to also speak to.”
Responding to concerns over Pakistan’s deepening ties with China, the official acknowledged that Washington remains wary of Islamabad’s strategic alignment with Beijing. “That relationship continues to be a concern for us,” the official admitted.
However, the U.S. is still committed to engaging with Pakistan on its own merits: “We are looking at the U.S.-Pakistan relationship as a standalone. The focus is on finding areas where we can work together.”
The briefing — conducted under anonymity to allow candid discussion — comes amid what the official described as ongoing "turbulence" in U.S.-India relations, but also a broader effort by Washington to recalibrate its regional strategy without conflating the two South Asian rivals.
In essence, the message from Washington is clear: while both India and Pakistan remain important partners, the U.S. intends to handle its ties with each on separate, strategically tailored paths.