Pahalgam attack: US shuns Pak journalist's question over India-Pakistan tensions

Tammy Bruce dismissed question on India-Pakistan tensions, citing US stance.

During a press briefing, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce dismissed a Pakistani journalist's question regarding the India–Pakistan border tensions.

When asked by a Pakistani journalist for a statement, she responded, “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.”

#WATCH | #PahalgamTerroristAttack | "...I'm not going to be remarking on it. I will say nothing more on that situation. The President and the Secretary have said things, as has the Deputy Secretary," says Tammy Bruce, US State Department spokesperson, on being asked if the US pic.twitter.com/gO7FQ3pNvu ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2025

The US government has, however, firmly supported India following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on 22 April, which claimed 26 lives. The attack targeted tourists at Baisaran meadow and has been labelled as one of the most severe since the 2019 Pulwama tragedy. President Donald Trump reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 23 April to offer condolences and condemn the attack, reiterating full support for India’s efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Vice President JD Vance also called Modi, reinforcing Washington’s readiness to combat terrorism. Secretary of State Marco Rubio later tweeted, “The United States stands with India.”

In response, India took swift diplomatic and security actions. After a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Modi, India declared Pakistani defence advisors in New Delhi as Persona Non Grata and withdrew its own from Islamabad. Both nations will halve their High Commission staff by 1 May.

India also closed the Attari Integrated Check Post, suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, and revoked visa exemptions for Pakistani nationals under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme.

(Inputs from ANI)