Introduction
In the wake of renewed tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, a significant geopolitical development has emerged: the United States has chosen a neutral stance, signaling a major shift in its South Asia policy. U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s unequivocal statement that the conflict is “none of our business” has reverberated across diplomatic circles, marking what many in Islamabad see as a diplomatic success for Pakistan. Let’s discover what led to the US’s Neutral Stance on the Indo-Pak Conflict, from a diplomatic viewpoint.
India’s Accusation and Strategic Objective
Following the deadly attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of at least 26 people—mostly Hindu pilgrims—India swiftly accused Pakistan of orchestrating the assault through its alleged proxies operating in Kashmir. New Delhi sought to use the tragic event as leverage on the global stage, aiming to internationally isolate Pakistan by branding it once again as a state sponsor of terrorism.
India’s diplomatic apparatus launched a full-throttle campaign across key Western capitals, especially Washington, hoping to trigger U.S. condemnation and possibly tacit support for retaliatory action. However, this time, India’s narrative failed to garner the anticipated response, particularly from the United States.
JD Vance’s “None of Our Business” Doctrine
In a defining moment, U.S. Vice President JD Vance appeared on Fox News and stated that the Indo-Pak tensions, even if they escalate into open warfare, would be “none of our business.” He elaborated that the U.S. could not control nuclear-armed nations and must prioritize American interests over involvement in complex foreign disputes. Vance emphasized that Washington hoped for peace but would not intervene.
“We should pray for peace, but these are nuclear powers. We’re not the world’s babysitter anymore.” — JD Vance, May 8, 2025
This marks a departure from past U.S. positions, which often leaned toward India, particularly in the post-9/11 era when counterterrorism cooperation became central. The refusal to echo India’s condemnation or validate its claims about the Pahalgam incident is particularly striking.
Pakistan’s Diplomatic Posture: Restraint and Reframing
Pakistan, for its part, categorically denied involvement in the Pahalgam attack and instead positioned itself as a responsible actor advocating for de-escalation and peace. Islamabad also launched a diplomatic outreach campaign focused on two goals:
- Rejecting unilateral blame without evidence.
- Promoting regional dialogue over armed confrontation.
In this context, Pakistan’s restraint was rewarded diplomatically. While India carried out limited strikes and deployed Harop drones into Pakistani territory—one of which injured soldiers near Lahore—Pakistan responded with measured rhetoric, framing India’s actions as “naked aggression” and relying on international law and diplomatic channels.
Strategic Shift in US Policy: A Pakistan Win?
The U.S. neutrality, despite India’s attempts to paint Pakistan in a negative light, is seen by analysts as a tactical success for Pakistan. Several factors may have contributed:
- U.S. fatigue with foreign entanglements, reinforced by recent exits from Afghanistan and scaled-down involvement in Ukraine.
- The “America First” doctrine resurged under Vance’s leadership.
- Desire to maintain equidistance in South Asia to preserve diplomatic flexibility vis-à-vis China and the region.
Additionally, Pakistan’s measured response contrasted sharply with what appeared to be India’s rush toward escalation, allowing Islamabad to claim moral high ground and diplomatic maturity.
A Move to Avoid Confrontation with China?
Beyond its immediate implications for India and Pakistan, the U.S.’s neutral stance may also be shaped by its broader geopolitical calculus—particularly its complex relationship with China. As tensions between the U.S. and China continue to simmer over issues such as Taiwan, trade, and the South China Sea, Washington may be wary of triggering a wider regional conflict that could draw in Beijing.
China is not only Pakistan’s closest strategic ally but also a major regional power with growing influence across South Asia. Any overt U.S. alignment with India against Pakistan could provoke a Chinese counterbalance, especially given the proximity of the conflict to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) interests and the shared border in the Himalayas.
By staying neutral, the U.S. avoids opening another front of strategic tension with China, which could view overt American support for India in a border-adjacent conflict as a direct challenge to its regional interests. This caution mirrors the emerging multipolar realism in U.S. foreign policy, where avoiding unnecessary entanglements is a way to conserve political capital and military resources for more critical theaters like East Asia.
Furthermore, China’s growing role as a mediator in global disputes—as seen in brokering talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia—makes the U.S. wary of being outmaneuvered diplomatically. A heavy-handed American approach in South Asia could push Islamabad and Beijing even closer, undermining U.S. influence in the region.
Conclusion
Vice President JD Vance’s remark that the India-Pakistan conflict is “none of our business” reflects a recalibration of U.S. policy in South Asia—away from historical interventionism and toward strategic detachment. For Pakistan, the refusal of the U.S. to endorse Indian claims about the Pahalgam attack is a significant diplomatic achievement. It not only blunted New Delhi’s efforts to internationalize its narrative but also strengthened Islamabad’s position as a rational actor advocating peace.
In the current geopolitical landscape, restraint, diplomacy, and strategic patience appear to be yielding better results than accusations and escalation.
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