In a week dominated by the tragic incident in Pahalgam and tensions along India-Pakistan frontier, it became easy to forget an otherwise crucial diplomatic moment, the four-day visit of US Vice-President JD Vance to India.
Vance’s first official trip may not have made front-page headlines, but its impact on the Indo-US relationship is worth reflecting upon.
From his first stop in New Delhi to Jaipur, Vance’s message was consistent that the US sees India not just as a partner of the future, but a critical ally.
“We must ensure fair access to Indian markets, and we believe that deeper cooperation will unlock growth opportunities for both our countries. A fair, mutually beneficial partnership is essential for the 21st century,” Vance said.
There is a deeper pattern that links Vance’s strategic language in India. A triangle of concern, China, Islamist terrorism and economy sits at the heart of India and US-shared worldview. Both nations see the rise of China not just as a geopolitical issue but as a technological and trade imbalance. Vance did not name Beijing directly, but his intent was clear when he stated, “Our future cannot depend on authoritarian supply chains. We must build with partners who share our values.”
Likewise, the terror attack in Kashmir was not only a violent act, it was a strategic cry for relevance. “The attack in Kashmir wasn’t just an act of terror, it was an act of desperation,” said a senior Indian intelligence official, speaking off the record. “It aimed to remind Washington that Pakistan is still a matter of concern, but the world isn’t listening the way it once did.”
The terror attacks in India highlights that Pakistan still clings to tactics it believes can deliver results. Yet increasingly, these acts are backfiring, inviting growing international backlash against Islamabad. With US engagement with India now on a different plane, Pakistan’s military-industrial complex, unable to adjust to this new reality, seems destined to repeat its strategic missteps.
For India, this is a pivotal moment. New Delhi must now push harder to convert sympathy into sustained support, not just in words, but in actionable partnerships to counter cross-border terrorism.
Unlike Vance’s usual rhetorical style, his tone in India was warm and affirming. “If India and the United States work together successfully, we are going to see a 21st century that is prosperous and peaceful”, Vance said in a public address. His personal praise for Modi was not superficial. It was a signal that Washington sees India and Modi specifically as fundamental in determining the world order. “I have seen first-hand energy of this country, the optimism, the investment in the future, we need that spirit back home too”, Vance said.
Also read: Trump delivers defeat to Conservatives in Canada
On Friday, the United States publicly urged India to “bring the perpetrators to justice”.
“We are with you and support you as you hunt down those responsible for this heinous attack,” US Intelligence czar Tulsi Gabbard said in a statement, calling the Pahalgam attack an “Islamist terrorist attack, targeting and killing 26 Hindus.”
Trump had earlier maintained that India has the right to self-defense against acts of terror. The latest statements from Washington seem to indicate that the United States would not oppose any decisive action New Delhi might take against Pakistan even across the border, especially after a senior Pakistani minister openly admitted to institutional support for terrorism while criticising the West for reducing Pakistan to a rentier state.
India cannot afford to let this diplomatic opening slip away. Washington’s warm words and Vance’s visit must be channeled into concrete commitments on intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism cooperation. New Delhi must rise to this occasion, and ensure that goodwill turns into guarantees.
By Shyna Gupta
Follow us
