US President, in a statement backing India’s attack on Pakistan, termed the air-strike on Balakot terrorist training centres by India as “counter-terrorism actions.” US Secretary Mike Pompeo who spoke to India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and also to her Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi . “I expressed to both Ministers that we encourage India and Pakistan to exercise restrain, and avoid escalation at any cost. I also encouraged both Ministers to prioritize direct communication and avoid further military activity”, said Pompeo.

Read the text of the official statement by the US Secretary:

“Following Indian counter-terrorism actions on February 26, I spoke with Indian Minister of External Affairs Swaraj to emphasise our close security partnership and shared goal of maintaining peace and security in the region. I also spoke to Pakistani Foreign Minister Qureshi to underscore the priority of de-escalating current tensions by avoiding military action, and the urgency of Pakistan taking meaningful action against terrorist groups operating on its soil. I expressed to both Ministers that we encouraged both the ministers to prioritise direct communication and avoid further military activity.”

It is very much clear from the language and tone of the statement issued by the US that it is supportive of India’s right to conduct the strike against terrorist camps that were first recorded by the US’ own intelligence in 2004. Although the statement eventually encouraged both India and Pakistan to exercise restrain however, it has put the responsibility on Pakistan to do so by abstain from military response against India and instead suggesting directed meaningful action against the terror groups.

Mike Pompeo is currently in Hanoi with US President Trump for talks with North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un.