New Delhi, May 1: Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday assured his Indian counterpart, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, of America’s full support in India’s fight against terrorism.
In a phone conversation, Hegseth conveyed Washington’s solidarity and reaffirmed India’s right to self-defence.
“He reiterated the strong support of the U.S. government in India’s fight against terrorism,” Singh’s office posted on social media.
The call came in the wake of the Pahalgam attack, which claimed the lives of several civilians, sparking outrage in India and renewed scrutiny on Pakistan’s alleged role in fostering terrorism.
Expressing condolences, Hegseth told Singh that the United States stood with India during this period of grief.
During the conversation, Singh did not mince words in holding Pakistan responsible for destabilizing the region.
“Pakistan has been exposed as a rogue state, fuelling global terrorism and destabilising the region,” Singh said, according to an official readout issued by the Indian Defence Ministry.
Singh further said it was time for the international community to act decisively against terror networks.
“The world can no longer turn a blind eye to terrorism,” he told Hegseth. “It is imperative that the global community explicitly and unequivocally condemn and call out such heinous acts.”
He also noted Pakistan’s long-standing record of supporting, training, and financing terrorist groups, which, he argued, undermines regional peace and global security.
The conversation between the two defence leaders reflects a deepening strategic alignment on counterterrorism efforts, particularly as India faces increased cross-border threats.
