Pahalgam attack: Questions raised on US India-Pakistan mediation, why did Trump's stance become the center of discussion?

New Delhi/Washington: Tensions between India and Pakistan are at their peak after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025. The death of 26 tourists in this attack further soured the relations between the two countries. Meanwhile, the US has started talks with both the countries, but questions are being raised on the statements of President Donald Trump and the stance of his government. While Trump condemned the attack, his statement that "India-Pakistan will sort it out themselves" is being seen as indifference. Let us look at the facts of this case and the questions being raised on the US stance.

Background of Pahalgam attack

On April 22, the Lashkar-e-Taiba-linked terror group 'The Resistance Front' (TRF) attacked tourists in Pahalgam's Baisaran Valley. The terrorists targeted non-Muslim men by asking their religion, killing 25 Indians and a Nepali citizen. Two of the four terrorists were identified as Adil Gurri and Asif Sheikh, while the other two were said to be Pakistanis. India termed it as Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, which Islamabad rejected.

After the attack, India took tough measures, including suspending the Indus Water Treaty, closing the Attari-Wagah border, cancelling visas of Pakistani citizens and reducing the number of officials in the high commissions of both countries. Pakistan responded by closing the airspace for Indian flights and suspending trade.

US mediation

Eight days after the Pahalgam attack, the US contacted India and Pakistan. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said on April 30 that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio would soon talk to the foreign ministers of both countries. US envoy Natalie Baker met Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, in which the reduction of tension was discussed.

The US appealed to both countries to exercise restraint. Bruce said, "We are in constant contact with India and Pakistan, not only at the foreign minister level, but also through other diplomatic channels." India's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Yojana Patel called the Pahalgam attack the biggest terrorist attack after 26/11, which was also supported by the US.

Trump's stance and controversy

After the attack, Trump expressed condolences on Truth Social and said, "America stands with India in the war against terrorism." He spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the phone and promised support in punishing the culprits. US National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard termed it an "Islamic terrorist attack" and expressed solidarity with India. However, while leaving for Rome on April 25, Trump told reporters, 

"India and Pakistan have been fighting over Kashmir for 1,000 years. It was a bad attack, but I am sure the two leaders will resolve it." This statement was described as "light and superficial" on social media. A user on X wrote, "Trump has no understanding of the complexity of Kashmir." 

Questions are being raised about Trump's statement because: 

• Allegation of indifference: Trump's statement that the two countries "will resolve it themselves" is being considered a sign of giving low priority to South Asia in US foreign policy. Expert Shubhada Chaudhary told BBC, "Trump's priority is not India-Pakistan, but domestic matters." 
• Claim of deal with Pakistan: Pakistan claimed that with the help of America and China, it got the name of TRF removed from the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), which India had blamed for the attack. TRF later denied responsibility for the attack and made the excuse of "cyber intrusion". This raised questions about the intentions of the Trump administration. 
• Contradictory statements: While Trump supported India, his statement of being "too close to Pakistan" was considered an "indecisive attitude" in India. Navbharat Times wrote, "Trump's love for Pakistan was exposed in his statements."

Pakistan's fear and India's stance

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told Reuters that India "can take military action at any time," for which Pakistan is on high alert. On the other hand, Modi has given "complete operational freedom" to the army. In a high-level meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, the PM said, "The army has our full support."

India termed Pakistan a "supporter of terrorism" in the UNSC, while Pakistan demanded an "impartial investigation." Saudi Arabia and Iran have also appealed to both countries to exercise restraint.

Social media and public sentiment

Trump's statement is being criticized on X. One user wrote, "Trump saying Kashmir has been tense for 1,500 years shows historical ignorance." On the other hand, some Indian users said, "Trump's statement shows that India should take action against Pakistan on its own."

What is the way forward?

Experts believe that US mediation can play a limited role in reducing tensions, as Trump's priorities are focused on domestic and global issues like Ukraine-Russia. India's tough diplomacy and military preparations indicate that it will not shy away from any action.