US backs India's air strike on Jaish-e-Mohammed's terror camp in Pakistan, Pompeo tells Ajit Doval

The United States has reiterated its support for India’s action against Jaish-e-Mohammed that saw the Indian Air Force fighter planes destroying Balakot terror camp in pre-dawn attack. According to news agency ANI, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had a telephonic conversation with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Thursday. In the late-night call, Pompeo said that the US supported India’s decision to take action against Jaish terror camp on Pakistani soil.

Day earlier, Pompeo had spoken to Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj. Pompeo “emphasized” on close security partnership between India and the US. He “shared goal of maintaining peace and security in the region.” He has also spoken to Pakistani Foreign Minister Qureshi to underscore the priority of de-escalating current tensions by avoiding military action, and the urgency of Pakistan taking meaningful action against terrorist groups operating on its soil. Pompeo said that the US will encourage India and Pakistan to exercise restraint, and avoid escalation at any cost. He also encouraged both Ministers to prioritise direct communication and avoid further military activity.

Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday made an ‘urgent’ late-night call to his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi and said that Beijing is ready to help in easing out the current border tension in Indian Subcontinent. Wang said that he hoped China “could continue to play a constructive role in easing the current tensions." The Chinese Foreign Ministry in the statement added that “China does not want to see the acts that violate the norms of international relations.”