‘America is with India’: Rajnath Singh spoke to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, expressed anger over Pahalgam attack
New Delhi: The terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir on 22 April, in which 26 people lost their lives, has once again increased the tension between India and Pakistan. After this incident, India has started high-level discussions with its global partners. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh had an important conversation with his American counterpart Pete Hegseth on Thursday, in which both countries clarified their stand against terrorism.
US shows solidarity with India
The conversation between Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth was confirmed by the Defence Ministry on Thursday. The Ministry said, “US Secretary of Defence @PeteHegseth spoke to Defence Minister Shri @rajnathsingh and expressed deep condolences on the death of innocent civilians in the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. He said that America stands with India and supports its right to save its own people.” Pakistan’s tradition of supporting terrorists: Rajnath Singh
During this conversation, Rajnath Singh clearly said that Pakistan has been continuously training, funding and supporting terrorist organizations. He also said that the global community should oppose such incidents clearly and strongly. The Defense Minister appealed to the US that countries across the world should take action against terrorism without any double standards.
Tensions also increased on LoC, India gave a befitting reply
Immediately after the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan started a clash on the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB). During 27-28 April, small weapons were fired from Pakistan side near Kupwara and Poonch, to which India gave a strong reply. Defence officials said that the Indian Army gave an effective reply to the unprovoked firing of the Pakistan Army.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMO) of both the countries had talked on the hotline, in which India warned Pakistan against ceasefire violations.
External Affairs Minister also raised his voice
Not just the Defence Minister, but External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar also spoke to his US counterpart Marco Rubio. He said, “I spoke to US @SecRubio about the Pahalgam attack. Its perpetrators, their supporters and planners must be brought to justice.”
Rubio also assured America on his behalf that the US will fully support India in its fight against terrorism. US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said that Rubio expressed condolences to the people killed in the “horrific terrorist attack” in Pahalgam and demanded dialogue between India and Pakistan.
India’s strong response – from water treaty to check post
Immediately after this attack, India took several steps. Indus Water Treaty was suspended, Attari Integrated Check Post was closed, and Pakistan High Commission staff was also reduced. All these decisions indicate that India is not adopting any kind of soft policy against terrorism this time.
PM Modi gave operational autonomy to the army
On 29 April, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-level meeting in which Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, CDS General Anil Chauhan, heads of three armies and NSA Ajit Doval were present. This meeting was a follow-up to the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting held on 23 April.
In the meeting, PM Modi gave full operational autonomy to the Indian army – this means that the army has been given the freedom to decide the time, place and method of its own response. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh were also present in this meeting.
Confluence of international support and strong policy
The Pahalgam attack has affected India’s internal security framework as well as its external diplomatic ties. But this time a new perspective is visible in the approach – on the one hand India is building international support, and on the other hand it is giving a befitting reply to Pakistan on the ground
The Pahalgam attack has once again shown that India’s fight against terrorism is no longer just a national challenge, but has become an international challenge. The conversation between Rajnath Singh and Pete Hegseth, and Jaishankar’s contacts with the US prove that India is ready to win this war together with its global partners. At the same time, the Modi government has also shown that this time any terrorist attack will be responded to with full force – without any compromise.