NEW DELHI: In a significant show of diplomatic and defence solidarity, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke with India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday, assuring New Delhi of America’s unwavering support following the deadly terrorist assault in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. The exchange comes amid heightened border tensions and India’s strong retaliatory posture against Pakistan.
Confirming the dialogue, the Indian Ministry of Defence stated that Hegseth conveyed his deepest sympathies for the loss of innocent lives and emphasized that “the US stands in solidarity with India and fully supports its right to defend itself.” The April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam claimed 26 lives, marking one of the deadliest strikes in the region this year.
Singh, in his conversation, underscored Pakistan’s long-standing role in nurturing cross-border terrorism. He urged the global community to take a clear and uncompromising stance in condemning such violent extremism. “Pakistan continues to train, fund, and harbor terror groups that destabilize the region. The world must respond with unified condemnation,” Singh asserted.
The call between the two defence leaders reflects a growing convergence between Washington and New Delhi on regional security cooperation, especially as ceasefire violations by Pakistan escalate. Over April 27 and 28, the Indian Army engaged in a sharp response to unprovoked Pakistani firing in the Kupwara and Poonch sectors along the Line of Control (LoC).
Parallelly, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, highlighting the need to bring the attackers and their sponsors to justice. Rubio reiterated America’s commitment to anti-terror cooperation and encouraged constructive Indo-Pak dialogue to prevent further escalation.
Since the Pahalgam attack, India has responded with both diplomatic and military assertiveness. Measures include suspending provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Attari Integrated Check Post, and scaling down Pakistan’s diplomatic presence in India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, taking direct charge of the crisis, convened a high-level security meeting on April 29 with Defence Minister Singh, NSA Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Anil Chauhan, and the three service chiefs. According to sources, Modi has given the armed forces complete autonomy in determining their response timeline and targets.
This marks a crucial turning point in US-India defence coordination. By reiterating that the US stands in solidarity with India, Washington signals that its strategic partnership with New Delhi remains resilient, particularly in the shared fight against terrorism and regional destabilization.
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