The United States stands firmly with India in the fight against terrorism and fully supports Prime Minister Narendra Modi, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said on Thursday.

“Yesterday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. As President Donald Trump conveyed to Prime Minister Modi last week, the United States stands firmly with India against terrorism, and Prime Minister Modi has our full support,” Bruce said in a press briefing.

In response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Bruce said that the U.S. is in constant communication with both India and Pakistan and is closely monitoring the situation.

Bruce also noted that Secretary Rubio had encouraged both India and Pakistan to work towards a resolution that promotes peace and stability in the region. “We continue to engage with both governments at multiple levels,” she added.

The US has called for a “responsible resolution” from both parties to de-escalate the situation, though Bruce refrained from providing further details when pressed on whether calls for de-escalation were being heeded.

Tensions have risen along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, with Pakistan’s military accused of increasing ceasefire violations in the wake of the attack. In response, India has implemented measures against Pakistan, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and closing the Integrated Check Post at Attari. The government has also decided to reduce diplomatic staff at Pakistan’s High Commission.

Additionally, visa services for Pakistani nationals have also been suspended by the central government.

India’s armed forces have been given full operational freedom to respond to cross-border provocations.The Indian army has already responded to unprovoked firing by Pakistan’s military along the LoC.

(ANI)