New York– U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Tuesday that relations with India remain “good” as she defended President Donald Trump’s outreach to Pakistan, stressing that having a leader who engages with all parties is a diplomatic strength.
“Our relationship with both nations is as it has been, which is good,” Bruce said when asked whether Trump’s engagement with Pakistan’s military chief, General Asim Munir, would come “at the expense” of ties with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“That is the benefit of having a president who knows everyone, talks to everyone, and that is how we can bring differences together,” she added, defending Trump’s approach to Islamabad. “It’s clear that the diplomats here are committed to both nations.”
Bruce declined to answer a question about whether Trump’s apparently close relationship with Munir could lead to increased U.S. assistance or arms sales to Pakistan. She instead pointed to the U.S.–Pakistan counterterrorism dialogue held earlier Tuesday in Islamabad, where both sides “reaffirmed their shared commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations” and “discussed ways to enhance cooperation to counter terrorist threats.”
Trump hosted Munir at a White House lunch in June, saying he “wanted to thank him for not going into the war and ending it.” Munir returned to the U.S. last week to attend a ceremony in Tampa, Florida, marking the retirement of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) chief General Michael Kurilla and the arrival of his successor, Admiral Brad Cooper. CENTCOM’s area of responsibility includes Pakistan, as well as Central and West Asia.
Trump has claimed credit for mediating an end to a May conflict sparked after India launched Operation Sindoor against Pakistan-based terror groups, following the April Pahalgam attack by The Resistance Front — an offshoot of Pakistan-protected Lashkar-e-Taiba. Islamabad had escalated tensions, but Trump says his intervention prevented further hostilities. Munir has echoed that version and even nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.
India, however, disputes Trump’s mediation claim. New Delhi maintains the ceasefire was initiated by Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations, Major General Kashif Abdullah, who contacted his Indian counterpart, Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai.
Bruce, who has been nominated as U.S. deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said the U.S. helped end “a conflict, one that could have developed into something quite horrible.” She described “immediate concern and immediate movement” by Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to halt the attacks and “bring the parties together” for a lasting resolution.
“It’s a very proud moment and a very good example of what Secretary Rubio was committed to,” she said. (Source: IANS)
