‘Pakistan Has A History…’: Rajnath Tells Hegseth As US Backs India’s Right To Self-Defence After Pahalgam Attack
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a telephonic conversation with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Thursday, amid heightened tensions with Pakistan following the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives. According to the Defence Ministry, the US reiterated support for “India’s right to defend itself”.
The Office of the Raksha Mantri posted on X that Secretary Hegseth expressed his “deepest sympathies for the tragic loss of innocent civilians in the dastardly terror attack.” He reiterated that “the U.S. stands in solidarity with India and supports India’s right to defend itself,” adding that the United States government extends “strong support” to India in its fight against terrorism.
According to the post, Rajnath Singh told his US counterpart that “Pakistan has a history of supporting, training and funding terrorist organisations.” He also stressed that “it is important for the global community to explicitly and unequivocally condemn and call out such heinous acts of terrorism.”
India Slams Pakistan’s Unprovoked Firing Across LoC; Jaishankar Speaks To Rubio Amid Tensions
Quoting defence ministry officials, ANI reported that the phone call came as the Pakistani military continues its build-up along the India border, deploying air defence and artillery units at forward positions. Defence sources told ANI that the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMO) of India and Pakistan communicated via hotline on Tuesday, during which India raised strong objections to the “unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Pakistan Army” along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border.
Officials stated that the Indian Army responded effectively to Pakistan’s unprovoked small arms firing across the LoC, including during a ceasefire violation on the night of April 27–28 in areas opposite Kupwara and Poonch districts in Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also spoke with his US counterpart Marco Rubio on Wednesday to discuss the Pahalgam attack. “Discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack with US @SecRubio yesterday. Its perpetrators, backers and planners must be brought to justice,” Jaishankar posted on X.
According to US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, Secretary Rubio reaffirmed America’s commitment to anti-terror cooperation with India. He expressed condolences for the victims of the “horrific terrorist attack” and encouraged India to “work with Pakistan to de-escalate tensions” in the interest of peace and security in South Asia.
Following the attack, India has taken several diplomatic and strategic measures against Pakistan, including suspending the Indus Water Treaty, closing the Integrated Check Post at Attari, and curtailing the strength of High Commissions.
On April 29, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level security meeting attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, and the chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force — General Upendra Dwivedi, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, and Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, respectively.
Government sources told ANI that PM Modi affirmed it is India’s national resolve to “deal a crushing blow to terrorism” and expressed full confidence in the “professional abilities” of the Indian Armed Forces. The sources added that the Prime Minister gave the forces “complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets, and timing of India’s response.”
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