As tension prevails between India and Pakistan post Pahalgam terror attack last week, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday told US that Pakistan has a history of supporting, training and funding terrorist organisations.
He made this assertion when US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth called him and reiterated full support of the US Government in India’s fight against terrorism. US stands in solidarity with India and supports India’s right to defend itself, he said during his phone conversation with Rajnath Singh.
US Secretary of Defence called Rajnath Singh to express his sympathies and condolences for the tragic loss of innocent civilian lives in the dastardly attack by terrorists in Pahalgam.
Rajnath Singh said, “Pakistan has been exposed as a rogue State, fuelling global terrorism, and destabilising the region. The world can no longer turn a blind eye to terrorism.” He added that it is important for the global community to explicitly and unequivocally condemn and call out such heinous acts of terrorism.
Meanwhile, India has stepped up its diplomatic offensive with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar telling US counterpart Marco Rubio that the perpetrators, backers and planners of the act must be brought to justice. Jaishankar, meanwhile, also spoke to South Korea besides earlier reaching out to his counterparts from eight other non-permanent member nations of the UN Security Council.
His phone conversations with foreign ministers of the non-permanent member nations of the UN Security Council assumes significance as Pakistan is also a member of the influential UN body for the 2025-26 period.
As regards talks with US Foreign Secretary Rubio, Jaishankar said on Thursday “Discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack with US @SecRubio yesterday. Its perpetrators, backers and planners must be brought to justice,” the external affairs minister said in a social media post.
The US urged India and Pakistan to de-escalate their tensions over the Pahalgam terror attack as Rubio held separate phone conversations with Jaishankar and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to emphasise on avoiding further escalation.
In his phone conversation with Jaishankar on Wednesday night, Rubio expressed his “sorrow” for the lives lost in the “horrific” terror attack and reaffirmed the US’ commitment to cooperation with India against terrorism, according to the US State Department.
The US Secretary of State called on Sharif for Islamabad’s cooperation in investigating the “unconscionable” attack that killed 26 civilians.
The Jaishankar-Rubio phone conversation came amid speculation about India’s possible retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in view of its cross border linkages.
“The Secretary expressed his sorrow for the lives lost in the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam, and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to cooperation with India against terrorism,” US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said. “He also encouraged India to work with Pakistan to de-escalate tensions and maintain peace and security in South Asia,” she said.
On Rubio’s phone talks with Sharif, Bruce said the Secretary encouraged Pakistan to work with India to de-escalate “tensions, re-establish direct communications, and maintain peace and security in South Asia.”
“The Secretary spoke of the need to condemn the terror attack on April 22 in Pahalgam. Both leaders reaffirmed their continued commitment to holding terrorists accountable for their heinous acts of violence,” she said.
“The secretary urged Pakistani officials’ cooperation in investigating this unconscionable attack,” Bruce added. Meanwhile, India on Thursday reached out to South Korea in line with its diplomatic offensive to apprise the non-permanent members of the UN Security Council about the Pahalgam terror attack and its cross-border linkages.
S Jaishankar spoke to his South Korean counterpart Cho Tae-yul and is understood to have conveyed India’s policy of “zero tolerance” towards terrorist.
“Spoke with @FMChoTaeyul of South Korea this morning. Thanked him for RoK’s support and solidarity in light of Pahalgam terror attack. Underlined the need to combat terrorism in all forms and manifestations,” the external affairs minister said in a social media post.
The UN Security Council comprises 15 members, including the five permanent members: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the US. It also has 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly.
In the last few days, India reached out to various world capitals apprising the nations about the “cross border” links to the terror attack. Several world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also dialled Modi to condemn the attack.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, UAE President Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Dutch PM Dick Schoof, US Vice President J D Vance, Australian PM Anthony Albanese and Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli also spoke to PM Modi.
Jaishankar’s phone calls to his counterparts from the non-permanent members of the UNSC comes as India mulls options to respond to the terror attack.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the “perpetrators and conspirators” of the Pahalgam attack will be “served with the harshest response”.
“The whole world stands with 140 crore Indians in our fight against terrorism. I once again assure the affected families that they will get justice, and justice will be done,” Modi said in his ‘Mann ki Baat’ address. “The perpetrators and conspirators of this attack will be served with the harshest response,” he said.
On Tuesday, he asserted that the armed forces have “complete operational freedom” to decide on the mode, targets and timing of India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
He said this while chairing a meeting that was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor(NSA) Ajit Doval and the chiefs of three services. Modi affirmed that it is the national resolve to deal a crushing blow to terrorism, Government sources said.
A day after the attack, India on April 23 announced a raft of punitive measures against Pakistan, including suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, shutting down of the only operation land border crossing at Attari and downgrading of diplomatic ties in view of cross-border links to the attack.
In response, Pakistan shut its airspace to Indian airliners and suspended all trade with India, including through third countries. Pakistan rejected India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and said any move to stop the flow of water will be seen as an “act of war”.