[By Guancha Observer Network, Shao Yun]

As the situation between India and Pakistan remains tense, US Vice President Vance said in an interview with Fox News on the 8th that although the US side advocates easing the situation, it cannot control these two countries. If a war breaks out between India and Pakistan, "fundamentally, it's not our business." Indian media believe that Vance's remarks exclude the possibility of Washington intervening in the India-Pakistan conflict.

When asked how worried the US is about the potential nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan, Vance said that the US is concerned about any friction and possible major conflicts between nuclear-armed countries at any time. However, the US attitude is, "We hope the situation will de-escalate as soon as possible, but we cannot control these countries."

"What we can do is try to encourage these leaders to ease some tensions, but we will not get involved in a war that fundamentally has nothing to do with us and is beyond our control. The US cannot ask India to lay down its weapons, nor can it ask Pakistan to lay down its weapons." Vance added that besides diplomatic intervention, the "sober-minded people" in India and Pakistan must also play a role to ensure that the situation does not escalate into a nuclear war.

Vance interviewed Fox News Channel screenshot

India's Economic Times believes that this statement effectively excludes the possibility of US involvement in the India-Pakistan conflict. On September 9, India's Business Today magazine cited an analysis by an American expert, saying that this reflects a "significant shift" in the foreign policy of the Trump administration from the first term to the second term.

"My overall interpretation of Vance's remarks is indeed a reflection of the Trump administration's general stance on foreign policy, that is, the US should not overextend itself in international affairs. Although the US is willing to express its hope for India and Pakistan to ease tensions, the US will not invest substantial diplomatic resources to mediate and promote talks." Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Program at the Wilson Center, said.

After the situation between India and Pakistan escalated, US President Trump initially only expressed hope that this "unfortunate" situation would "end quickly," and later stated that if the US "can help," he could intervene. In the eyes of the media, Trump's response went further, but showed little enthusiasm for intervention.

Earlier on the 8th, US Secretary of State Rubio spoke separately with India's Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Pakistan's Prime Minister Sharif. According to the statement released by the US Department of State, Rubio called on both sides of India and Pakistan to "immediately de-escalate tensions," stating that the US supports direct dialogue between India and Pakistan and encourages both sides to continue efforts to improve communication.

However, he also urged Pakistan to "take concrete steps to end any support for terrorist organizations." This is consistent with India's accusations, but Pakistan has repeatedly responded to this and denied it.

Some analysts believe that the reason why the Trump administration has not "intervened" too much in the India-Pakistan conflict is partly because US diplomatic energy has been diverted by Ukraine and Gaza issues, and the Trump administration prefers "transactional" diplomacy, without visible benefits, it will not invest. There is also a part of the reason that US interests in Pakistan have changed compared to the past.

"Trump's diplomatic actions on Ukraine and Gaza issues... also reflect the transactional intent to seize economic or other benefits for the US," CNN wrote on August 8. "The Kashmir issue holds no obvious economic or other advantages for the US to attract Trump's attention."

Reuters pointed out that both India and Pakistan are considered "allies" of the US, but in recent years, the strategic focus of the US in the India-Pakistan region has shifted. Now, India remains an important partner for Washington to counter China's "growing influence," while since the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 and ended its "counter-terrorism cooperation" with Pakistan, US influence over Pakistan has greatly weakened.

"There is no doubt that the US position has undergone a complete change in recent years... I think the US expects Pakistan to retaliate (for India's air strikes on the 7th). But what the US hopes is that both sides can (after completing the retaliation) save face and each find a way down." Milan Vaishnav, director of the South Asia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said on the 7th.

At dawn on the 7th, the Indian Air Force launched Operation Sindoor, an air strike operation targeting nine locations in Pakistan and the Pakistan-controlled Kashmir region. India claims this is a response to the gun attack incident in the India-controlled Kashmir region last month.

Pakistan retaliated immediately, shooting down five Indian aircraft on the 7th, including three Dassault Rafale fighter jets, one Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jet, and one MiG-29 fighter jet. A senior French intelligence official confirmed to US media that one of the Dassault Rafale fighter jets was shot down by Pakistani forces, marking the first combat loss for the Rafale.

Indian Defense Minister Singh said on the 8th that India's military operations against Pakistan's targets "are still ongoing." On the same day, General Asim Bajwa, director of the Inter-Services Public Relations of Pakistan, said that Indian drones have continuously intruded into Pakistani airspace since midnight on the 8th, and Pakistan has shot down 25 drones. According to a statement by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of Pakistan on the 8th, the Pakistan Army killed "40 to 50" Indian soldiers near the actual control line between the two countries.

On the 9th, US media cited a senior message from the Pakistani government, saying that India continued to launch drone attacks on Pakistan early that morning. The impact of the attack is unclear, but at least one drone was reportedly shot down. The message source also said that Pakistan has not yet responded to India's drone attacks to "leave room for diplomacy."

This article is an exclusive contribution from the Guancha Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original text: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7502405873910743586/

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