British Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced on Saturday that the United Kingdom, in close coordination with the United States, is actively working to preserve the fragile ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Speaking during a visit to Islamabad, Lammy emphasized the importance of building trust through dialogue and sustained diplomatic engagement to prevent renewed hostilities between the two long-time adversaries.
According to Lammy, the recent violent escalation—some of the worst cross-border clashes seen in decades—was defused through intense diplomatic mediation involving several international players, including the UK, US, and others. A ceasefire was brokered on May 10 following alarming missile exchanges, but observers caution that the peace remains tenuous. Lammy stressed that ongoing cooperation and confidence-building measures (CBMs) are crucial to preventing further conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbors.
During his remarks in Islamabad, Lammy acknowledged the deep-rooted tension between India and Pakistan, particularly in light of the deadly attack in the disputed region of Kashmir that reignited hostilities. India has squarely blamed Pakistan for the incident, while Islamabad has firmly rejected any involvement. In the wake of the ceasefire, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested holding future peace talks in a neutral location, but no concrete plans or dates have been confirmed.
The UK foreign minister also weighed in on a new point of friction: India’s decision to suspend its participation in the Indus Waters Treaty—a decades-old water-sharing agreement. Pakistan has warned that any disruption to its water access could be interpreted as an act of war. Lammy urged both sides to honor their commitments under the treaty, emphasizing that water security is a matter of regional stability and must not become another trigger for conflict.
Beyond regional issues, Lammy addressed Britain's commitment to supporting Pakistan in the fight against terrorism. Calling it a “terrible blight” on the nation and the wider region, he reiterated the UK’s willingness to work closely with Islamabad to dismantle extremist threats and promote lasting security. He framed this cooperation as a core component of Britain’s broader foreign policy approach in South Asia.
Lammy also turned his attention to another major geopolitical crisis: the ongoing war in Ukraine. Reflecting on recent talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials—which ended without significant progress—he criticized Moscow for what he described as evasive and unserious behavior. "Once again Russia is dodging accountability," he said, echoing sentiments of frustration from Western allies. Lammy challenged the international community to reconsider how long President Putin would be allowed to stall meaningful peace efforts without facing stronger consequences.