In the face of rising tensions between India and Pakistan, U.S. Vice President JD Vance has categorically asserted that the United States will not intervene directly in the conflict, calling it a matter that lies beyond American responsibility.
Speaking to Fox News in an interview on Thursday, Vance asserted, “What we can do is try to get these folks to de-escalate a little bit, but we’re not going to get into the middle of a war that’s fundamentally none of our business and has nothing to do with America’s ability to control it.”
Vance explained that the U.S. would maintain diplomatic efforts but emphasized the limitations of American power in such a regional war. “America can’t tell the Indians to put down their guns. We can’t tell the Pakistanis to put down their guns,” he said. “Our hope and expectation is that this does not escalate into a wider regional war or, God forbid, a nuclear war. Right now, we don’t think that’s going to happen.”
His comments follow as Pakistan ramped up tensions on Thursday by launching drones, missiles, and heavy artillery against both civilian and military areas throughout Indian territory. Retaliating, India increased Operation Sindoor, hitting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Indian forces intercepted several drones and missiles and shot down several Pakistani aircraft, including fighter jets and an AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System).
The White House has not released an official comment beyond Vance’s remarks, but the Biden administration has already called for restraint and regional stability in the past. As tensions escalate, the U.S. seems determined to steer clear of entanglement while encouraging diplomatic efforts.
This represents a major shift in Washington’s policy, a more measured approach to conflicts in which direct American interests are not immediately involved.
