The United States has reaffirmed that its ties with both India and Pakistan “remain unchanged,” even as tensions simmer over trade tariffs, energy deals, and provocative remarks from Pakistan’s army chief.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce has said that the United States’ relationships with both Pakistan and India “remain unchanged,” emphasising that American diplomats are “committed to both nations.”
Her remarks come amid evolving dynamics between New Delhi and Washington, following President Donald Trump’s announcement of additional tariffs on India over its trade ties with Russia. At the same time, Pakistan and the US have reached an agreement to develop oil reserves.
Bruce’s comments also followed reported remarks by Pakistan’s army chief, Gen Asim Munir, in Florida, where he allegedly warned that Pakistan could use nuclear weapons against India, and “half the world”, if faced with an existential threat.
Recalling past crisis management
Speaking at a State Department briefing, Bruce referred to an earlier India–Pakistan crisis that could have “developed into something quite horrible.” She said there had been “immediate concern and movement” from Vice President JD Vance, President Trump, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to defuse the situation.
#WATCH | Washington DC, USA | On Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir’s US visit, US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce says, “We had an experience with Pakistan and India, when there was a conflict, that could have developed into something quite horrible… There was immediate… pic.twitter.com/CjpXSmyeis
— ANI (@ANI) August 12, 2025
“We described the nature of the phone calls and the work we did to stop the attacks, bringing the parties together to create something enduring,” she said. “It’s a very proud moment that Secretary Rubio, Vice President Vance, and our top leaders were involved in preventing a potential catastrophe.”
She reiterated that the US relationship with “both nations remains unchanged — good,” and that American diplomats “are committed to both nations.”
Counter-terrorism cooperation in Islamabad
Highlighting the US–Pakistan counter-terrorism dialogue held in Islamabad on Tuesday, Bruce said both sides had reaffirmed their “shared commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations” and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation against terrorist threats.
“For the region and for the world, the US working with both these nations is good news and will promote a future that’s beneficial,” she added.
Munir’s second US visit in two months
Gen Munir’s trip marks his second visit to the United States in less than two months, following a private luncheon with Trump in June. He arrived in Washington on Sunday for a series of high-level meetings with senior US political and military leaders.