2 hours ago
1
Washington has reaffirmed that its relationship with both nuclear neighbour's India and Pakistan "remains unchanged" and that its diplomats are " committed to both nations".
The statement comes following Pak Army Chief Asim Munir's notable second visit to the United States and amid his repeated nuclear threat to New Delhi.
During his second visit, Munir not only threatened to launch a nuclear war against India but also warned he would take down "half the world."
These statements mark the first known nuclear threats coming from US soil against a third country. Speaking at a State Department briefing, spokesperson Tammy Bruce emphasised President Donald Trump's role in facilitating the India-Pakistan truce following the recent military conflict. She described it as a "very proud" moment for Washington to have been "involved in stopping that potential catastrophe."
"We had an experience with Pakistan and India, when there was a conflict, that could have developed into something quite horrible. There was immediate concern and movement with the Vice President JD Vance, the President Donald Trump and the Secretary of State Marco Rubio in addressing the nature of what was happening," she said.
"We described the nature of the phone calls and the work we did to stop the attacks, bringing the parties together to create something enduring. It's a very proud moment that Secretary Rubio, Vice President Vance and the top leaders in this nation were involved in stopping that potential catastrophe," Bruce added.
US-Pakistan relations and counter-terrorism dialogue
When asked if, after Asim Munir's recent meeting with Trump, the US would increase assistance and arms sales to Pakistan "at the expense of President Trump's relationship with PM Modi", Bruce noted that the US relationship with "both nations remains unchanged - good. The diplomats are committed to both nations."
She also spoke about the US-Pakistan counter-terrorism dialogue, established in Islamabad on Tuesday, stating: "The United States and Pakistan reaffirmed their shared commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations during the latest rounds of talks in Islamabad. The US and Pakistan discussed ways to enhance cooperation to counter terrorist threats."
"For the region and for the world, the US working with both those nations is good news and will promote a future that's beneficial," she added.
New Delhi’s response to Islamabad’s nuke threats
Notably, Munir visited the US for the second time in less than two months, following a private luncheon with Trump in June. During his latest trip, he warned that Pakistan would destroy any infrastructure India builds that could impede water flow to Pakistan, and threatened that as a nuclear power, it will take half of the world down with it if faced with an existential crisis.
Responding to the threats, India stated, "it is regrettable that these remarks should have been made from the soil of a friendly third country," and added that it has already made clear it "will not give in to nuclear blackmail. we will continue to take all necessary steps to safeguard our national security."
(With inputs from agencies)
English (US) ·