ISLAMABAD: Former policy adviser to former US President Barack Obama and global affairs expert Laurie A. Watkins has expressed concern over India’s refusal to allow an independent investigation into the Pahalgam incident, terming it a matter of concern for the international community and regional peace.
Ms Watkins said this in an interview with Pakistani news channel Dunya News.
The former US adviser was critical of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for politicising the Pahalgam incident to gain political mileage.
“After the Pahalgam incident, India is pursuing war-driven policies,” she remarked.
The former US adviser expressed regret that despite failing to provide any credible evidence against Pakistan, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and downgraded diplomatic relations.
She noted that Prime Minister Modi had spoken about presenting evidence of Pakistan’s involvement but failed to follow through.
Ms Watkins appreciated the role of regional powers such as Russia and China in de-escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours but expressed disappointment over the United States’ limited engagement in the conflict.
She suggested that if the US had played even a minimal role similar to that of China, the situation might have been defused.
She criticised President Donald Trump for what she described as “waging an economic war on the world”, imposing high tariffs on both allies and adversaries, including Pakistan and India.
Ms Watkins further noted that President Trump displayed a clear tilt towards India. “The Trump administration is currently not focusing on the South Asian region,” she said.
She also criticised Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who claimed that the US had been working with both India and Pakistan.
Ms Watkins said Washington should share intelligence reports with either country to facilitate an independent inquiry into the Pahalgam attack.
Expressing concern over India’s handling of the issue, she warned that New Delhi might resort to military options against Pakistan.
“There is a fear that Prime Minister Modi and his advisers may believe this is the right time to launch an attack,” she added.
