According to Indian officials, in recent weeks senior US officials and diplomats, during various meetings and diplomatic engagements, have conveyed a clear message that in the event of any potential crisis with Pakistan, the United States will not automatically support India. Instead, its decisions will be based entirely on its own national interests.
According to the Indian newspaper The Sunday Guardian Live, these discussions suggest that although the US considers India an important strategic partner—particularly in the Indo-Pacific region—expecting unconditional support or a free hand in any conflict is unrealistic.
The growing “strategic realism” in Washington reflects this thinking, where US policymakers are increasingly viewing the idea of a “rules-based global order” as vague, emphasizing that it cannot override hard national interests.
According to the US stance, foreign policy is now shifting from “moral commitments” to “issue-based cooperation,” meaning the US will cooperate on specific matters but will not provide security guarantees like a formal ally.
Indian officials also stated that US representatives stressed maintaining working relations with both India and Pakistan, and in the event of rising tensions, Washington’s top priority would be to ensure regional stability and prevent further escalation.
They added that this US position is part of a consistent policy aimed at managing tensions in South Asia, where the US prefers mediation and balance rather than becoming a direct party to conflicts.
According to Indian officials, Washington has made it clear through both words and actions that if India expects the US to diplomatically isolate Pakistan in any bilateral crisis, such expectations will not be fulfilled.
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