US Stands in Solidarity with India, Supports the Right to Defend Itself: Pete Hegseth

By R Anil Kumar

• US reiterates its stand, says, ‘We Stand with India’: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth-on Pahalgam Terror Attack

• In his statement, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasised, “We stand with India and its great people,” and reiterated the United States’ commitment to supporting India in its fight against terrorism. He further stated that the US supports India’s right to defend itself, a stance echoed in official communications from both governments

• United States on Friday, 2 May, reiterated that it firmly stands with India against terrorism and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has the Trump administration’s full support, in the wake of the recent deadly terror attack in Pahalgam-State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said during a press briefing

Washington DC. The terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, marked one of the deadliest assaults on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Five armed militants targeted tourists at the Baisaran Valley, resulting in the deaths of at least 26 people, including 25 tourists and a local pony operator, and injuring 20 others.

The victims hailed from various Indian states and included a foreign national from Nepal. The Resistance Front (TRF), believed to be linked to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, initially claimed responsibility but later retracted their statement. Witnesses reported that the attackers singled out men, asked their religion, and shot those who did not recite Islamic verses, indicating a targeted and brutal approach.

The incident has significantly heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. India accused Pakistan of supporting cross-border terrorism, leading to swift diplomatic and military responses.

India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, expelled Pakistani diplomats, and closed its borders, while Pakistan retaliated by suspending the Simla Agreement, restricting trade, and closing its airspace.

Skirmishes along the Line of Control (LoC) began on April 24, with both sides reporting ceasefire violations and military build-ups, including the deployment of air defence and artillery units by Pakistan at forward locations.

In the wake of the attack, the United States reaffirmed its strong support for India. US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth spoke with Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, offering condolences for the loss of life and expressing solidarity with India.

In his statement, Hegseth emphasised, “We stand with India and its great people,” and reiterated the United States’ commitment to supporting India in its fight against terrorism. He further stated that the US supports India’s right to defend itself, a stance echoed in official communications from both governments.

During their conversation, Defence Minister Singh highlighted Pakistan’s history of supporting, training, and funding terrorist organisations, asserting that Pakistan has been “exposed as a rogue state” destabilising the region. Singh called for the global community to unequivocally condemn such acts of terrorism, stressing that the world can no longer turn a blind eye to these threats.

Additionally, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar discussed the attack with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, stressing the need to bring the perpetrators, backers, and planners of the attack to justice.

The Pahalgam terror attack has not only caused immense human tragedy but also triggered a sharp escalation in India-Pakistan tensions. The United States has responded by expressing strong solidarity with India, supporting its right to self-defence, and reaffirming its commitment to counterterrorism cooperation. The situation remains volatile, with ongoing Military and diplomatic developments in the region.

Meanwhile, the United States on Friday, 2 May, said that it firmly stands with India against terrorism and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has the Trump administration’s full support, in the wake of the recent deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said during a press briefing.

“As the President Donald Trump articulated to Prime Minister Modi last week, the United States stands strong with India against terrorism and Prime Minister Modi has our full support” State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said during a press briefing.

‘Rogue Pakistan has been fuelling global terrorism’: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tells US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in a phone call with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, described Pakistan as a “rogue state” responsible for fuelling global terrorism. The call followed the Pahalgam terror attack that killed civilians. Hegseth conveyed condolences and reaffirmed US support for India’s fight against terrorism and its right to self-defence.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called out Pakistan as a rogue state that has been fuelling global terrorism in a phone conversation with the US Secretary of defence Pete Hegseth.

Officials said that Hegseth called Singh to express his sympathies and condolences for the loss of civilian lives in the recent attack by terrorists in Pahalgam.

Hegseth reiterated full support of the US government in India’s fight against terrorism, they added. Officials also said Hegseth restated that the US stands in solidarity with India and supports India’s right to defend itself.

The Indian defence minister made a strong case against Pakistan, pointing out that it has a history of supporting, training and funding terrorist organisations. “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,” the minister said.

He added that it is vital for the global community to explicitly and unequivocally condemn and call out such heinous acts of terrorism.