Tensions ease after US-brokered ceasefire, but Quad avoids naming Pakistan in Kashmir terror row

WASHINGTON — Amid a fragile calm between Pakistan and India following a deadly escalation in April, the Quad alliance has publicly condemned the Pahalgam attack in Kashmir but stopped short of pointing fingers at Pakistan—an omission raising eyebrows in New Delhi.

The coordinated statement, released after a foreign ministers’ summit in Washington, emphasized the Quad’s opposition to terrorism in all its forms, particularly cross-border terrorism. However, it carefully avoided naming any country, even as India maintains that Pakistan was behind the April 22 assault that killed 26 civilians in IIOJK.

Pakistan strongly rejected the allegations and called for a neutral probe to uncover the true perpetrators. Meanwhile, tensions rapidly spiraled in the days following the attack, with both nations exchanging military strikes. Pakistan’s military response, codenamed “Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos,” reportedly inflicted significant losses on Indian forces, including the downing of several fighter jets and dozens of drones.

After 87 hours of sustained military confrontation, a ceasefire was reached on May 10—largely due to backchannel negotiations led by the United States. President Donald Trump announced the breakthrough on social media, stating that both sides had agreed to de-escalate. While India has contested his direct role in the agreement, Pakistan credited his intervention and has gone so far as to recommend him for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.

The Quad’s decision to avoid naming Pakistan signals a continued preference for cautious diplomacy, especially when dealing with flashpoints involving nuclear powers. The group’s call for all UN member states to assist in bringing those responsible for the Kashmir attack to justice reflects a broader appeal rather than a direct indictment.