US backs India’s right to self-defence amid heightened tensions with Pakistan

Washington: The United States on Thursday reiterated its support for India’s right to self-defence and its fight against terrorism during a phone call between US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

The conversation came amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam.

During the discussion, Singh told Hegseth that Pakistan had been “exposed” as a “bad” country that fuels global terrorism and seeks to “destabilise” the region. He also stressed that the international community can no longer remain “blind” to the threat of terrorism, according to official information.

A post from the defence minister’s office on social media said the US defence secretary expressed solidarity with India and reiterated Washington’s strong support for New Delhi’s fight against terrorism.