Washington D.C.: The Quad group — comprising the United States, India, Japan, and Australia — has strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, that killed 26 people on April 22. Although the statement did not name Pakistan, the Quad called for swift justice against the perpetrators, organizers, and financiers of the attack.
The joint statement was released after a high-level foreign ministers’ meeting in Washington, led by the U.S. State Department. The ministers emphasized that the Quad “unequivocally condemns terrorism and violent extremism in all forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism.”
The attack in Pahalgam had escalated tensions between India and Pakistan, with India blaming Pakistan for orchestrating the violence. Pakistan firmly rejected the accusation and demanded an independent and neutral investigation. The two nuclear-armed neighbors engaged in military hostilities, including drone, missile, and artillery strikes, which left dozens dead on both sides. A ceasefire was reached on May 10, reportedly after U.S. diplomatic pressure.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire on social media, claiming it was a result of diplomatic outreach and warnings about cutting trade ties. However, India denied that the U.S. had played a role, asserting that the ceasefire was a bilateral decision.
Meanwhile, India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar reiterated that India and Pakistan must resolve their issues directly without third-party mediation. He stressed the importance of having the political will and capacity to address challenges while maintaining a positive forward-looking approach.
It’s also worth noting that a recent SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) defense ministers’ meeting ended without a joint declaration. India reportedly refused to sign because the draft did not mention the Pahalgam attack, highlighting growing diplomatic friction over the incident.