U.S. Vice President JD Vance urged India and Pakistan to de-escalate rising tensions but stated that a potential war between the nuclear-armed nations is “none of our business.” Speaking on Fox News, Vance emphasized that while Washington wants to avoid further escalation, the U.S. cannot control sovereign nations. “We want this thing to de-escalate as quickly as possible,” he said, “but we’re not going to get involved in a war that has nothing to do with us.”
The current conflict stems from an April 22 attack in India-administered Kashmir, where 26 people were killed. India blamed the attack on Islamabad-backed militants, a claim Pakistan denies, calling for a neutral investigation. The situation has since escalated, with both sides accusing each other of drone strikes and Pakistan’s defense minister warning of likely retaliation. Nearly 50 people have died over two days of fighting.
While the U.S. has traditionally maintained strategic ties with both nations—India as a key partner in countering China and Pakistan as a legacy ally post-Afghanistan—analysts suggest that Washington’s deep involvement in Ukraine and Gaza limits its bandwidth for intervention in South Asia.
Despite the hands-off stance, the Biden administration has engaged diplomatically. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held calls on Thursday with leaders in both countries, urging restraint and direct dialogue. President Donald Trump also addressed the conflict, calling the violence a “shame” and encouraging both sides to halt further escalation. “Our hope and expectation is that this does not spiral into a broader regional war or, God forbid, a nuclear conflict,” Vance warned.
The U.S. continues to monitor the situation closely while promoting a peaceful resolution through diplomatic channels.