WASHINGTON – U.S. Vice President JD Vance personally called Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to urge restraint and promote dialogue with Pakistan after U.S. intelligence agencies warned of a possible rapid escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, CNN reported on Saturday.
The call, made midday Friday, followed what American officials described as “alarming” intelligence suggesting a significant risk of military confrontation over the weekend. While the nature of the intelligence remains classified, senior officials cited by CNN said it was serious enough to prompt an urgent and direct diplomatic push from Washington.
Joining Vance in monitoring the situation were Secretary of State and interim National Security Adviser Marco Rubio, and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. The trio reportedly coordinated Washington’s response as tensions spiked in South Asia.
Critical Call to Modi
In his call with Prime Minister Modi, Vance emphasized the growing danger of further escalation and the urgent need for direct communication with Pakistan. U.S. officials told CNN that the vice president presented a potential diplomatic “off-ramp” that Washington believes Pakistan may be open to — though details were not disclosed.
At the time, there had reportedly been no direct contact between New Delhi and Islamabad, and the U.S. considered Vance’s outreach a crucial step toward breaking the silence and opening channels for dialogue.
Following the vice president’s call, senior U.S. diplomats, including Secretary Rubio, held a series of late-night conversations with their counterparts in both India and Pakistan to build on the momentum and prevent further deterioration.
White House Sees Effort as a Turning Point
Although the U.S. was not directly involved in crafting the ceasefire that was later announced, administration officials believe their intervention played a pivotal role in steering both sides toward de-escalation.
“This was a decisive moment in a rapidly developing crisis,” a senior White House source told CNN. “Vice President Vance’s engagement helped shift the dynamic from confrontation to diplomacy.”
The situation remains fragile, but U.S. officials continue to push for open communication and caution from both capitals. The White House has emphasized that avoiding miscalculation is now the top priority in the days ahead.
