'Work towards a responsible resolution': US to India and Pakistan over border tension after Pahalgam terror attack

Washington DC/IBNS: The United States has said it is in "touch" with both India and Pakistan and appealed to both the parties to "work towards a responsible resolution" over the heightened border tension between the two nuclear-armed South Asian countries after the Pahalgam terror attack.
"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 U.S. State Department spokesperson told Reuters in an emailed statement.
"The United States encourages all parties to work together towards a responsible resolution," the spokesperson added.
The spokesperson also said Washington "stands with India and strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Pahalgam".
Reacting to the Pahalgam attack fallout, US President Donald Trump last Friday said India and Pakistan will figure out their border tension, which he claimed to be going on for 1,500 years.
Trump said, "I am very close to India as well as Pakistan, as you know. They have had that fight for 1,000 years in Kashmir. Kashmir has been going on for 1,000 years, probably longer than that and it's a bad one yesterday, over 30 people."
"There have been tensions on that border for 1,500 years. So, you know, it’s been the same, but I am sure they'll get it figured out."
Earlier Trump extended solidarity with India after the terror attack targeted civilians, mostly Hindu tourists, in Pahalgam.
"Deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir. The United States stands strong with India against Terrorism. We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured. Prime Minister Modi, and the incredible people of India, have our full support and deepest sympathies. Our hearts are with you all!" the President had posted on Truth Social.
'We are with you as you hunt down those responsible': US spy chief Tulsi Gabbard tells Modi
US Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, paying homage to those who lost their lives in the Kashmir terror strike and said that America extends full support to India in hunting down those 'responsible' for the attack.
"We stand in solidarity with India in the wake of the horrific Islamist terrorist attack, targeting and killing 26 Hindus in Pahalgam. My prayers and deepest sympathies are with those who lost a loved one, PM @narendramodi, and with all the people of India. We are with you and support you as you hunt down those responsible for this heinous attack," she said.
Modi declares war on terrorism
The terror attack, which has drawn widespread condemnation from the world leaders, has led India and its arch-rival Pakistan to a fresh confrontation, a major one since the Pulwama terror attack which was backed by Pakistan-based militant group, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in 2019.
After several diplomatic strikes on Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday promised a retaliation and said the terrorists and their backers will pay unimaginable costs for the attack on innocent tourists.
Addressing a rally in Bihar's Madhubani, the Prime Minister significantly switched to English and said: "From the soil of Bihar I tell the whole world that India will identify them and punish every terrorist and their backers. We will pursue them to the end of the earth. India's spirit will never be broken by terrorism. Terrorism will not go unpunished."
Pahalgam terror attack
Twenty-six tourists, all men, including 23 Hindus died after terrorists identified them as non-Muslims and gunned them down in Baisaran meadows, a popular destination in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22.
World leaders, including US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, condemned the attack.
The terrorists reportedly asked the victims to chant Islamic verse, pull down their pants to check circumcision in a bid to confirm their Hindu identities before gunning them down.