UK Foreign Secretary welcomes India-Pakistan ceasefire during Islamabad visit

India Today

17-05-2025

In a diplomatic balancing act, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy managed to praise both India and Pakistan in the same breath during his visit to Islamabad on Friday, calling the recent ceasefire agreement between the two nuclear neighbors a "positive step" toward lasting regional peace.The Foreign Secretary applauded New Delhi and Islamabad for agreeing to cease hostilities, describing the images of recent cross-border clashes as "deeply distressing," especially for "the millions of Brits with Indian and Pakistani heritage," according to ANI.advertisement"The images of conflict between India and Pakistan were distressing for all of us in Britain," Lammy said. "But in particular the millions of Brits with Indian and Pakistani heritage, and the many British nationals living in both of these countries."Meeting Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and senior officials during his visit, Lammy reaffirmed the UK's 'strong ties with both India and Pakistan' and highlighted the emotional toll the conflict took on diaspora communities in the UK.'The British Pakistani and British Indian diasporas would particularly welcome news of the ceasefire and increased stability,' he noted.Lammy also condemned the 'horrendous terrorist attack in Pahalgam' and said the UK had been doing all it could 'to play a supportive role to reduce tensions, get to a ceasefire and condemn terrorism.'advertisementAccording to the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Lammy praised 'the steps taken by both Pakistan and India to secure an agreement to cease hostilities' and emphasized the importance of sustained regional stability.'Because of the deep and historic links between our populations and our governments,' he said, 'we are determined to play our part to counterterrorism and ensure this fragile ceasefire becomes a durable peace.'The UK diplomat also met British consular staff stationed in Islamabad and commended them for providing real-time support and accurate information to British nationals during the crisis.He confirmed ongoing dialogue with Indian officials and said he planned to visit New Delhi soon as part of efforts to reinforce UK-India ties — an essential part of Britain's broader Indo-Pacific engagement.While tensions had peaked with India suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and launching Operation Sindoor, the breakthrough came on May 10, when both countries reached an understanding following backchannel talks supported by international allies, including the UK.