Trump calls escalating tensions between India and Pakistan a disgrace

(Patria) - US President Donald Trump called the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan a disgrace, after India launched an attack on Pakistan following a deadly attack on April 22 in Kashmir.

India attacked nine locations in Pakistan and the Pakistani part of Kashmir early on Wednesday, Asian time, and Pakistan said it was preparing a response, Reuters reported.

"It's a shame, we just heard about it," Trump told reporters at the White House.

"I guess people knew something would happen based on a little history. They've been fighting for a long time."

The US President added: "I just hope it ends very quickly."

A State Department spokesperson later said: "We are aware of the reports, however, we do not have any assessment at this time. This is still a developing situation and we are closely monitoring developments."

India is an important US partner for Washington at a time when it is seeking to counter China's growing influence. Pakistan remains an ally of Washington even after its importance diminished after the US withdrawal from neighboring Afghanistan in 2021.

In recent days, Washington has called on Asian nuclear-armed neighbors to cooperate with each other to de-escalate tensions and reach a "responsible solution".

Top US leaders, including Trump, have supported India after the April 22 attack by Islamist militants that killed 26 people. US officials have not directly blamed Pakistan. Analysts said last month that Washington might leave India and Pakistan to themselves in the early days of tensions, partly because it already has a lot to deal with, such as its involvement in trying to achieve diplomatic goals in Russia's war in Ukraine and Israel's war in Gaza.

The US State Department announced that it is in contact with Asian neighbors at multiple levels, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio held phone calls with both countries last week.