A senior US State Department official reiterated that Washington maintains separate diplomatic engagements with India and Pakistan, dispelling concerns of a re-hyphenation of relations. The official emphasized that the Kashmir issue remains a bilateral matter for India and Pakistan, with no active role from the US unless solicited. This statement arrives amid perceptions in India of a potential shift in US policy following President Trump’s remarks on resolving the India-Pakistan conflict. The official acknowledged US apprehensions regarding Islamabad’s ties with Beijing but insisted that the US intends to focus on its relationship with Pakistan independently. This situation underscores the complexities of US-India relations while highlighting India’s assertion of its sovereign stance in negotiations with Pakistan.