US urges India to exercise restraint amid regional tensions

WASHINGTON: The United States has once again looked to restrain India’s aggressive posturing following recent provocations against Pakistan, with diplomatic sources saying that the Trump administration urged New Delhi to uphold regional peace and stability during high-level talks this week.

The development came as Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri called on US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau in Washington.

According to sources, the US conveyed in a blunt manner to India, making it clear that regional peace and stability are to be maintained.

India struck a blow to regional stability and peace on May 6 when India attacked Pakistan by baselessly accusing it of killing tourists in the Pahalgam region of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

Exercising the right to self-defence, Pakistan responded to this aggression with a crushing response, shooting down five Indian aircraft, including four Rafales and a drone, destroying the S-400 defence system, and attacking all the military bases from which India had launched missiles at Pakistan and targeted civilians.

After these attacks, a ceasefire was established between Pakistan and India through US efforts, which still holds.

However, provocations continue from the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. Modi recently said that Pakistanis should eat bread; otherwise, my bullets are always there.

Following these attacks, Misri is on a three-day visit to the United States from May 27. On Wednesday evening, he met the US deputy secretary of state in Washington.

US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said that in this meeting that Landau committed to continuing the close partnership between the United States and India.

US tells India to refrain from any kind of aggression

However, according to the sources, at the same time, the US has also expressed its desire to India to maintain regional peace and stability. That is, it has made it clear to India that it should refrain from any kind of aggression.

In a significant development, Landau has also reiterated the demand that India make its market access process more transparent, while also urging greater cooperation on migration and anti-narcotics efforts.

In February, when President Trump met PM Modi, he had also been compelled to agree to take back illegal Indian migrants deported from the US.

US statement omits Pakistan, seen as Islamabad win

The statement issued by the US State Department after the meeting between the Indian Foreign Secretary and the US Deputy Secretary of State does not even mention Pakistan, which is being hailed as another diplomatic success for Pakistan.