Heightened tensions between India and Pakistan continued this week, marked by exchanges of drone strikes and projectiles targeting areas along their shared border. The escalation has drawn international attention, with calls for de-escalation coming from several global powers.
United States Vice President JD VANCE commented on the conflict, stating the fighting was "fundamentally none of our business." Speaking on television, VANCE emphasized the US position that it cannot control the actions of the two countries but encourages them to de-escalate quickly.
While VANCE outlined a non-interventionist approach, other US officials have engaged diplomatically. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly spoke with the Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir and Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar. He urged both parties to find ways to de-escalate and offered US assistance in starting constructive talks.Rubio's calls underscore efforts within the administration to promote calm through diplomatic channels, even as VANCE signals a shift away from previous US roles in mediating India-Pakistan crises. Past escalations in 2019 and 1999 saw intensive US involvement aimed at reducing tensions.
The current confrontation follows a late April attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 people. India attributed the attack to proxies of the Pakistani military, a charge Pakistan denies. Retaliatory missile strikes by India across Pakistan occurred overnight Wednesday, leading to subsequent exchanges of fire.
Areas along the 760-mile border have been hit, including towns like Jaisalmer in India's northwest and Poonch and Jammu in Indian-held Kashmir. Residents near the border have reported fleeing their homes due to the violence. In Pakistan, projectiles landed near a military cantonment in Okara.
Some observers view VANCE's comments as potentially emboldening both sides or signaling a US tilt toward India, which seeks to confront terrorism emanating from Pakistan. Praveen Donthi, an India analyst for the International Crisis Group, noted the escalating conflict reaches a new threshold daily.
Amid the conflict, actions affecting information flow have been reported. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a Kashmiri preacher, stated he was prevented from attending Friday prayers. Separately, the social media company X said it received "executive orders" from the Indian government to block accounts, including journalists and news organizations.
The India-Pakistan crisis, largely centered on the disputed Kashmir territory, has deep historical roots. While Pakistan has often sought international intervention, viewing itself as the weaker party, VANCE's stance suggests this approach may not yield past results from the US.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the Kashmiri preacher, urged both countries to "urgently de-escalate and not to tread on this dangerous path, which can only lead to destruction."
