NEW DELHI, India, May 8: The Trump administration is actively working to prevent missile exchanges between India and Pakistan from evolving into a nuclear crisis, marking the first major international conflict since the US president’s inauguration. President Donald Trump expressed hope that the hostilities would cease, saying, “If I can do anything to help, I will be there. I get along with both, I know both very well, and I want to see them work it out.”

The crisis erupted following Indian airstrikes on what New Delhi described as “terrorist infrastructure” in Pakistan. In response, Islamabad claimed it shot down Indian aircraft and vowed to retaliate. The violence has left 31 dead and 57 injured in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, according to its military, while Indian officials reported 13 civilian deaths and 59 injuries from Pakistani shelling along the Line of Control.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been in touch with leaders from both nations and also spoke with Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister to discuss diplomatic solutions. Despite the U.S.’s historical role in de-escalating South Asian conflicts, analysts warn that current American focus on Ukraine and Gaza might hinder its capacity to respond effectively to this crisis.

Experts have criticized Washington's mixed signals. Although the U.S. condemned the April 22 terror attack in Kashmir that killed 26 and triggered India’s response, its subsequent call for both sides to de-escalate was poorly received in New Delhi. Tanvi Madan, a South Asia specialist at the Brookings Institution, noted that such calls are perceived in India as pressuring restraint on the victim of the attack—an approach the U.S. would not adopt in cases involving allies like Israel.

India, however, emphasized a separate message from U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who reaffirmed America’s support for India’s anti-terrorism stance and its right to defend itself during a May 1 conversation with Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. This was interpreted as tacit approval for India’s military actions. Three days later, Trump downplayed the crisis, stating the two nations would “get it figured out,” acknowledging their long-standing tensions.

Moeed Yusuf, senior fellow at Harvard's Belfer Center and Pakistan’s former national security adviser, described the U.S. response as more disengaged than in past conflicts. He said the U.S. has historically led successful diplomatic efforts involving even China and Russia, but no such cohesive effort appears to be underway now.

This conflict unfolds as the U.S. is strengthening ties with both South Asian nations. The U.S. and India are advancing a strategic, defense, and technology partnership to counterbalance China, while negotiating a trade deal to avoid Trump’s proposed 26% tariff on Indian exports. Following its strikes, India’s national security adviser, Ajit Doval briefed U.S. and regional counterparts including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Japan.

Pakistan, once a key U.S. defense partner, has seen its role diminished since the fall of the Western-backed Afghan government in 2021. Still, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb welcomed potential U.S. or allied mediation, calling America a vital strategic partner.

Tensions intensified as Pakistan claimed it shot down 12 Indian Harop drones, a type of loitering munition made by Israel Aerospace Industries, which it said caused casualties and damage from Rawalpindi to Karachi. One drone reportedly wounded four soldiers near Lahore and killed a civilian in Sindh province. Pakistan’s military remains on high alert.

The president of the UN General Assembly, Philemon Yang, urged restraint and emphasized resolving the issue through diplomacy. A UN delegation visited Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, where Pakistan alleged Indian missiles struck a mosque—claims India denied, stating no civilian or religious targets were hit.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his support and reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty. Turkey, a close ally, condemned India’s strikes as provocative and warned they heightened the risk of full-scale war. Ankara also backed Pakistan’s call for an independent investigation into the April 22 attack in Indian-administered Kashmir—an incident India attributes to Pakistan, which denies involvement.