2025 Senate Resolution 63

Whereas, The former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir is located in South Asia, at the intersection of Pakistan, India, and China. Both Pakistan and India claim ownership of the whole of Jammu and Kashmir, but in reality each nation only controls a portion of the region, separated by a “Line of Control” that runs through the Kashmir Valley. The dispute over the ownership of Jammu and Kashmir has been the cause of repeated conflicts between India and Pakistan since 1947; and

Whereas, On April 22, 2025, a group of militants attacked civilians near Pahalgam, a tourist destination in the Indian-administered portion of Jammu and Kashmir, killing 26 people. Witnesses have reported that the terrorists specifically targeted Hindu tourists. While most of the victims were Hindu, one Catholic was also reportedly killed, along with one local Kashmiri Muslim tour guide who intervened to protect the tourists being targeted; and

Whereas, This attack has increased tensions between India and Pakistan. The two nations have expelled each other’s diplomats and canceled the visas of each other’s nationals, and India announced that it is holding the bilateral Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance. In early May 2025, the conflict escalated to include the use of military force by both sides, resulting in dozens of additional civilian deaths. India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire on May 10, but there are lingering concerns about whether the peace will hold, and tensions remain high; and

Whereas, The attack in Pahalgam has been condemned by the government of India, the United Nations Security Council, and the international community at large as an act of terror against a civilian population, and the government of Pakistan has stated that it condemns terrorism in all forms. Targeting civilians based on their religion violates international tenets of religious tolerance and freedom. It is vital that we condemn acts of violence against civilians; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That we urge the Michigan congressional delegation, the United States government, and the governments of India and Pakistan to condemn all terrorism and acts of violence against civilians and to continue working toward a peaceful resolution of this conflict; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the members of the Michigan congressional delegation, the United States Secretary of State, the United States Ambassador to India, the United States Ambassador to Pakistan, the Ambassador of India to the United States, and the Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States.