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Amid rapidly escalating tensions between nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan, US Vice President JD Vance on Thursday called for restraint from both nations but stressed that the conflict is not one the United States intends to get involved in.
Speaking during an interview on Fox News’ “The Story with Martha MacCallum,” Vance said, “We want this thing to de-escalate as quickly as possible. We can’t control these countries, though.” He added, “We’re not going to get involved in the middle of a war that’s fundamentally none of our business and has nothing to do with America’s ability to control it.”
Context: Deadly Clashes and Growing Threat of Escalation
The recent outbreak of violence began on May 7, when India reportedly launched airstrikes across the border, claiming to target terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan. The strikes allegedly killed at least 31 civilians, triggering an immediate military response from Islamabad. Pakistan’s military stated that it had shot down five Indian fighter jets, including three French-made Rafales, and neutralized dozens of drones.
The Indian offensive was said to be a response to a deadly militant attack in the region of Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, which left 26 people dead. New Delhi accused Pakistan of sponsoring the attackers, a charge Islamabad has denied, calling instead for a neutral international investigation.
By May 9, the conflict had already claimed the lives of nearly four dozen individuals, both civilians and military personnel, raising fears of a larger confrontation.
US Balancing Strategic Interests in South Asia
Vance’s remarks come at a time when Washington is delicately balancing its strategic partnerships in the region. India has emerged as a key ally in the US strategy to counter China, while Pakistan continues to be a partner, albeit one of diminished importance since the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
According to analysts, the United States’ heavy diplomatic and military commitments in Ukraine and Gaza could be a major reason why the Biden administration is unlikely to apply immediate or intense pressure on either India or Pakistan.
“There is only so much bandwidth Washington has right now,” said a former State Department official. “South Asia may not receive the same urgent diplomatic engagement, especially in the early days of this crisis.”
High-Level US Diplomacy Ongoing, But Limited
Despite Vance’s hands-off rhetoric, diplomatic engagement has not been entirely absent. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly held separate calls with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and India’s Foreign Minister on Thursday. Both were urged to engage in direct dialogue and avoid further escalation.
US President Donald Trump, speaking on Wednesday, described the unfolding conflict as a “shame,” adding, “We hope they stop now. It’s been tit-for-tat.” The US State Department also issued a formal statement urging both countries to seek a “responsible solution.”
Pakistan Shoots Down 29 Indian Drones Amid Escalating Border Tensions
Still, Vance’s comments clearly outlined the administration’s broader view: while the US will encourage peace, it will not entangle itself in a conflict that it sees as regional and self-contained, especially one involving two sovereign nations with long-standing historical grievances.
Pakistan Hints at Further Retaliation
Meanwhile, the situation on the ground remains volatile. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Thursday that further retaliation was “increasingly certain” in response to Indian actions. He warned that Islamabad would not tolerate further aggression and would defend its sovereignty with full force if necessary.
With tensions continuing to mount, concerns are growing about the possibility of a wider regional conflict, or worse, the use of nuclear weapons. Both nations maintain significant nuclear arsenals, and even a limited exchange could have devastating humanitarian and environmental consequences.
Calls for Global Mediation Unheeded—For Now
Some international observers have called for United Nations or third-party intervention, but so far, no such diplomatic moves have gained traction. The lack of robust involvement from global powers like the US suggests that New Delhi and Islamabad may be left to manage—or mismanage—their tensions largely on their own.
Vance summed up the American stance: “Our hope and our expectation is that this is not going to spiral into a broader regional war or, God forbid, a nuclear conflict.”
