Washington: South Asia expert Michael Kugelman has warned that very few countries are in a position to mediate amid the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan.
In an interview with Indian news agency, Kugelman stated that while there is global consensus on the need to de-escalate the situation, only a handful of nations are capable of playing an effective mediatory role.
"There's certainly international agreement that tensions should come down," Kugelman said, "but I believe there are very few countries that are truly positioned to mediate in this crisis."
Commenting on the role of the United States, Kugelman noted that Washington maintains strong relations with both New Delhi and Islamabad. "The U.S. was quite active during the Kargil conflict in 1999 and again in 2019 in efforts to mediate," he said. "However, this time around, the U.S. may not be as engaged."
Kugelman views reflected on recent remarks by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, who stated that the United States would not intervene in wars that do not directly concern it. Speaking to Fox News, Vance emphasized that while the U.S. supports diplomatic efforts, it would refrain from direct involvement in a conflict between India and Pakistan.
"I believe Vance’s statement reflects the foreign policy approach of the Trump administration," Kugelman said. "It signifies a shift from past policy — indicating that while the U.S. supports de-escalation, it will not go too far in pushing for it. This marks a notable departure from the first Trump administration."
Kugelman also highlighted China's strategic involvement in the current crisis, suggesting that its role leans more towards security than diplomacy. "China is a major arms supplier to Pakistan, and there are indications that Chinese or Chinese-made weapons may have been used by Pakistan during this period of tension," he noted.
