The U.S. State Department has expressed support for India after a recent militant attack in Kashmir, but has not directly criticized Pakistan. The U.S. is in touch with both governments and is urging them to work towards a responsible solution. India is seen as increasingly important for the U.S. to counter China's influence in Asia, while Pakistan's importance has diminished after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Experts suggest that the U.S. may leave India and Pakistan to handle the tensions on their own, at least in the early days.