Washington’s Swift Diplomacy Averted Potential India-Pakistan Crisis: US State Dept

WASHINGTON: The United States played a key role in preventing a potentially devastating conflict between Pakistan and India, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Tuesday.

Bruce detailed the swift and decisive actions taken by top US leaders, including the Vice President, the President, and the Secretary of State, to address the crisis. Speaking at a State Department press briefing, she recalled, “I was here at the State Department at the time, and there was immediate concern and immediate movement with the Vice President, the President, and the Secretary of State in addressing the nature of what was happening.”

US officials quickly engaged both nations, working to halt ongoing attacks and facilitate dialogue. “Many of you who were in the room in the days afterwards, we described the nature of the phone calls, the work that we did to stop the attacks, and to then bring the parties together so we could have something that was enduring,” Bruce said.

She described the episode as a “very proud moment” and highlighted the commitment of current Secretary Rubio and Vice President Vance in maintaining peace efforts, noting the involvement of the nation’s highest leaders in averting the crisis.

Bruce emphasized that US relations with both Pakistan and India remain strong. “I would say that our relationship with both nations is as it has been, which is good, and that is the benefit of having a president who knows everyone, talks to everyone, and that is how we can bring differences together in this case,” she said. “So it’s clear that the diplomats here are committed to both nations.”

She also pointed to ongoing cooperation between the US and Pakistan on security matters. “There has been a US-Pakistan Counterterrorism Dialogue that was established. At this dialogue in Islamabad, the United States and Pakistan reaffirmed their shared commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations during this latest round of the talks in Islamabad,” Bruce explained.

“The United States and Pakistan discussed ways to enhance cooperation to counter terrorist threats. And I think that for the region and for the world, the United States working with both those nations is good news and will promote a future that’s beneficial,” she added.

Read More: Pakistan, US Reaffirm Commitment to Eliminating Terrorism in Joint Counterterrorism Dialogue