'Support India's right to defend itself': US Defence Secy Pete Hegseth speaks with Rajnath Singh amid Indo-Pak border tensions

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday spoke with US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth amid rising border tensions and continuing ceasefire violations by Pakistan following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

During the call, Hegseth conveyed the United States' deep condolences over the loss of civilian lives in the “dastardly” terror attack that killed 26 people.

“The U.S. stands in solidarity with India and supports India’s right to defend itself,” Hegseth said, reiterating Washington’s commitment to counterterrorism cooperation with New Delhi.


Singh told Hegseth that Pakistan has a long-standing history of “supporting, training and funding terrorist organisations” and said it was essential for the international community to “explicitly and unequivocally condemn” such acts of terrorism.


Notably, the Directors General of Military Operations of both countries had also spoken via the hotline earlier this week, during which India warned against further provocations.

On the ground, Indian forces responded swiftly to Pakistani small arms fire in the Kupwara and Poonch sectors on the night of April 27–28.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, discussing the Pahalgam attack. Jaishankar said that “its perpetrators, backers and planners must be brought to justice.”

Rubio expressed sorrow over the “horrific terrorist attack” and reaffirmed US support in counterterrorism cooperation. A statement from the US State Department said that Rubio also “encouraged India to work with Pakistan to de-escalate tensions and maintain peace and security in South Asia.”

Following the April 22 attack, India has undertaken diplomatic and operational measures, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty discussions and closing the Integrated Check Post at Attari. The government has also decided to reduce diplomatic staff strength in both High Commissions.

On April 29, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, NSA Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, and the three service chiefs. PM Modi is also said to have given Indian forces full freedom to decide timing and response to Pakistan's actions.