WASHINGTON: The United States (US) State Department said on Sunday Washington was in touch with both India and Pakistan while urging them to work towards what it called a “responsible solution” as tensions have risen between the two south Asian nations, according to Reuters.
“This is an evolving situation and we are monitoring developments closely. We have been in touch with the governments of India and Pakistan at multiple levels,” a US State Department spokesperson told Reuters in an emailed statement.
“Responsible resolution”
“The United States encourages all parties to work together towards a responsible resolution,” the spokesperson added, according to Reuters.
India suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) that regulates water-sharing from the Indus River and its tributaries and Pakistan has closed its airspace to Indian airlines in response.
Former official’s remarks
According to Reuters, Ned Price, a former US State Department official under the administration of former President Joe Biden, said that while the Trump administration was giving this issue the sensitivity it deserves, a perception that it would back India at any cost may escalate tensions further.
“The Trump Administration has made clear it wishes to deepen the US-India partnership — a laudable goal — but that it is willing to do so at almost any cost. If India feels that the Trump Administration will back it to the hilt no matter what, we could be in store for more escalation and more violence between these nuclear-armed neighbours,” Price said, according to Reuters.
Befitting response
Pakistan has accused India of sponsoring terrorism within its borders and warned of a befitting response to any misadventure, as tensions continue to escalate between the two nuclear-armed neighbours following the Pahalgam incident in Indian-Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Addressing foreign media representatives in Islamabad on Sunday, Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that Pakistan has the capability and resolve to respond to any Indian aggression with full force, as demonstrated in the past, local media reported.
