Daijiworld Media Network- Washington
Washington, Apr 25: In a firm and unambiguous response during a press briefing, US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce declined to engage with a Pakistani journalist who raised a question about India-Pakistan border tensions in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
“I will say nothing more on that situation,” Bruce stated, drawing a line under the issue. “The President and the Secretary have made their positions clear. I appreciate this and perhaps we will come back to you with another subject.”
The spokesperson reiterated the United States’ steadfast support for India, citing remarks by US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “The US stands with India and strongly condemns all acts of terrorism. We pray for the lives of those lost and for the recovery of the injured. The perpetrators of this heinous act must be brought to justice,” Bruce said.
Her remarks come after President Trump personally reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing condolences for the victims of the deadly terror attack at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, popularly known as “Mini Switzerland”. The attack, which occurred on April 22, claimed the lives of 26 individuals, including Indian tourists and one Nepali national, marking it as one of the deadliest terror incidents in the valley since Pulwama in 2019.
Responding to the US show of solidarity, Prime Minister Modi expressed gratitude to President Trump and reiterated India’s resolve to bring the masterminds and supporters of the attack to justice.
In a powerful address in Bihar’s Madhubani, PM Modi declared, “India will identify, track, and punish every terrorist and their backers. We will pursue them to the ends of the earth. Terrorism will never break the spirit of this nation.”
In its first wave of countermeasures, India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and downgraded diplomatic ties with Pakistan. The government has also announced the cancellation of all visas issued to Pakistani nationals effective April 27, while urging Indian citizens residing in Pakistan to return immediately.
The exchange at the US State Department briefing underscored Washington’s unyielding support for New Delhi, while also highlighting growing international scrutiny of cross-border terrorism in South Asia.