The Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir on April 22 has further widened the gap between India and Pakistan, with both countries adopting tough positions. The attack that killed 26 innocent civilians, who were tourists, has drawn sharp diplomatic reactions.
India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, reinforced while holding a discussion with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that the perpetrators of the attack should be brought to book. Marco Rubio, during his meeting with Indian and Pakistani leaders, favored India’s struggle against extremism and called upon Pakistan to assist in the investigation.
Discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack with US @SecRubio yesterday. Its perpetrators, backers and planners must be brought to justice.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 1, 2025
Pahalgam Attack: A Gruesome Incident
On April 22, Islamist extremists carried out a fatal attack on a crowded tourist meadow in Pahalgam, Kashmir. The terrorists attacked non-Muslims, stripping men, querying their names, and subsequently shooting them at point-blank range.
The massacre claimed 26 lives and injured numerous others. The ferocity of this attack jolted the world, and its implications have shaken the region, causing diplomatic unrest and retaliation between India and Pakistan.
India’s Uncompromising Stand on Accountability
S. Jaishankar informed Secretary Marco Rubio that the perpetrators, sponsors, and orchestrators of the attack would have to be held accountable. The Indian government has reaffirmed that it will not stand for such acts of terrorism, and demands for accountability are now stronger than ever before.
India has appealed to global partners to stand with it in bringing about justice to the victims and stopping further extremism.
US Involvement: Diplomatic Balancing Act
US has been actively involved in attempting to de-escalate the tension between India and Pakistan. Secretary Rubio came out strongly in favor of India’s struggle against terrorism, while calling on Pakistan to assist with the investigation into the Pahalgam attack.
The US has been careful to maintain its relationship with both nations while encouraging regional stability. Marco Rubio’s calls for de-escalation are reflective of the concern of the international community regarding the escalation of wider conflict.
Pakistan’s Reaction: Dialing Down the Rhetoric
Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif reacted by asking the US to request India to dial down its rhetoric and play responsibly. Sharif’s comments indicate Pakistan’s exasperation with India’s aggressive actions following the attack.
The government of Pakistan has asked India to show restraint, but the diplomatic exchange still keeps the already strained situation going.
Retaliatory Actions and Increasing Tensions
Against the attack and escalation of tensions, India has instituted several hard sanctions against Pakistan. India shut off its airspace for Pakistani planes, reduced diplomatic relations, and halted the Indus Waters Treaty.
Additionally, India has expelled senior military officers and closed the Attari border checkpoint. The steps have been perceived as a categorical response to the failure of Pakistan to stem cross-border terrorism.
In addition to these steps, ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) have persisted for a seventh day in a row. On Wednesday, Pakistani troops allegedly fired unprovoked rounds across the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir’s Akhnoor sector.
These acts of aggression are ratcheting up the conflict and rendering the prospect of peace even more elusive.
Volatile Future Ahead
The current India-Pakistan tensions are at a breaking point. The Pahalgam attack has revealed the tenuous state of peace in the region, and the steps both governments take will determine the course of India-Pakistan relations.
As the international community calls for dialogue and cooperation, both countries are stuck in their stands. The situation remains volatile, and the international community waits anxiously to see what happens.
