United States President Donald Trump on Friday played down concerns over the recent escalation of hostilities between India and Pakistan, describing the situation as part of a long-standing historical dispute that, in his words, “has lasted for 1,500 years”.
“There have been tensions on that border for 1,500 years, so you know, it’s the same as it has been,” President Trump said when asked about the Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent rise in diplomatic strain between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
“There’s great tension between Pakistan and India, but there always has been,” he said, before adding, “But they’ll get it figured out, one way or another.”
While President Trump struck a relatively neutral and dismissive tone, his administration offered a parallel message of support to New Delhi through the US Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, who strongly condemned the Pahalgam killings and extended support to India.
“We stand in solidarity with India in the wake of the horrific Islamist terrorist attack, targeting and killing 26 Hindus in Pahalgam,” Gabbard said in a post on X. “My prayers and deepest sympathies are with those who lost a loved one, PM Narendra Modi, and with all the people of India. We are with you and support you as you hunt down those responsible for this heinous attack.”
Sources in Washington claimed that Gabbard had privately sent messages of solidarity and assurance to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, offering intelligence and logistical support for efforts to locate those responsible.
Although Gabbard’s statement received considerable attention in Indian and international media, some reports in the American press noted that New Delhi had yet to furnish public evidence linking the attack to Pakistani-based terror groups. India has previously suggested the involvement of the Resistance Front (TRF), a group with alleged ties to Lashkar-e-Taiba.
In the US legislature, multiple lawmakers also expressed sympathy with India.
Pamela Bondi, a former Florida Attorney General and current US Representative, said in a post on X: “America stands with our dear friends in India and against terrorism in all its forms.” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer condemned the violence and wrote, “There can be no tolerance for the hatred that breeds this kind of unjustifiable violence.”
Tensions have simmered in South Asia since the Pahalgam attack on 22 April, with India reportedly pausing provisions under the Indus Waters Treaty and Pakistan reciprocating by suspending the Shimla Agreement and closing its airspace to Indian carriers.
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