New Delhi: As India-Pakistan tensions heat up following the Pahalgam terror attack, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday.
Hegseth expressed his “deepest sympathies” for the tragic loss of innocent civilians in the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
The statement issued by the Defence Ministry said that Hegseth conveyed to Singh that his country stands in solidarity with India and supports India’s right to defend itself. “He reiterated the strong support of the US government in India’s fight against terrorism.”
Recently, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a conversation with his US counterpart Marco Rubio over the phone and discussed the Pahalgam terror attack, that claimed the lives of 26 people.
“Discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack with US @SecRubio yesterday. Its perpetrators, backers and planners must be brought to justice,” Jaishankar tweeted following his conversation with Rubio. Earlier, US President Donald Trump, FBI Director Kash Patel and various other key US leaders expressed solidarity with India and condemned the attack.
“The United States stands strong with India against Terrorism. We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured. Prime Minister Modi, and the incredible people of India, have our full support and deepest sympathies. Our hearts are with you all!” US President Trump tweeted following the attack.
Indian-origin FBI director Kash Patel also pledged full support to India for its efforts to bring perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack to justice.
As many as 26 persons were killed in the gruesome terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22. A Nepali citizen, a local horse rider, and 24 tourists from various parts of the country were killed in the attack, the worst since the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.
India has been contacting global leaders since the attack. Soon after the attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and external affairs ministry officials contacted foreign leaders and ambassadors and communicated India’s findings regarding the attack. Reportedly, the global leaders were told that India had credible evidence regarding Pakistan’s involvement in the attack.
(agencies)