Pakistan PM reaffirms desire for peace in South Asia in talks with UK foreign secretary
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed his desire for peace in South Asia despite a recent military standoff with India, Sharif's office said on Saturday, following his meeting with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
The meeting between Lammy and PM Sharif took place in Islamabad during the UK foreign secretary's first official visit to Pakistan, just days after one of the most serious military confrontations between the South Asian nuclear-armed rivals in decades.
Fighting erupted last week when India launched strikes on what it said were 'terrorist camps' in Pakistan following a deadly April attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 people. New Delhi accused Islamabad of backing the militants behind the assault, an allegation Pakistan denies.
Four days of drone, missile and artillery exchanges followed, killing around 70 people, including dozens of civilians, on both sides of the border. The conflict raised fears of a broader war before a ceasefire was announced by US President Donald Trump.
'While reaffirming Pakistan's firm commitment to upholding the ceasefire understanding, the Prime Minister stressed that Pakistan had exercised great patience and restraint in the face of India's baseless accusations and unprovoked aggression,' Sharif office said, after his talks with Lammy.
'He reiterated that in exercise of the right to self-defense, Pakistan's response was measured, proportionate and targeted. He reaffirmed Pakistan's strong desire for peace in South Asia, while defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity at all costs.'
Last week's hostilities between Pakistan and India had raised alarm among world powers about a full-blown war in South Asia. Britain was among several countries that called for restraint, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer saying at the time that the UK was 'urgently engaging' with both sides.
'The UK Foreign Secretary congratulated the Prime Minister on the ceasefire understanding and said the UK would continue to play a constructive role for promotion of peace and stability in the region,' Sharif's office said.
During the meeting, Sharif expressed his satisfaction at the positive trajectory of Pakistan-UK ties and reiterated his desire to enhance bilateral cooperation across all spheres, according to his office. He conveyed his warm greetings to His Majesty King Charles III as well as to PM Starmer.
On Friday, Lammy also met Pakistani deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, and held detailed discussions on recent developments in South Asia, particularly the situation after the ceasefire understanding between Pakistan and India, Pakistan's foreign ministry said.
'Dar briefed the UK Foreign Secretary on India's unprovoked and belligerent actions, which constituted a violation of Pakistan's sovereignty, international law, the UN Charter, and established norms of interstate relations,' it said.
'He underlined that Pakistan exercised its right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, and that Pakistan's response remained limited, precise, and proportionate, with utmost care taken to avoid civilian casualties.'
Dar thanked the UK for its constructive engagement in de-escalation during the conflict.
Lammy's visit, the foreign ministry said, underscored the 'robust and multifaceted partnership' between the two nations and their commitment to regional and international peace.
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