ISLAMABAD, May 17, 2025 – British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said Saturday that the UK and the US are working together to secure a lasting ceasefire between India and Pakistan, calling for the restoration of dialogue and the implementation of confidence-building measures between the two rival nuclear powers.
Speaking at the end of a two-day visit to Islamabad, Lammy stressed that the recent deadly clashes in the Kashmir region were the worst violence in decades. These clashes were halted on May 10 thanks to swift diplomatic mediation, notably involving London and Washington. However, diplomats and analysts believe the truce remains precarious.
"These are two neighbors with a long history, but who barely speak to each other. We want to avoid any further escalation," Lammy told Reuters, adding that London would continue to work with the United States to foster structured dialogue and confidence-building mechanisms between New Delhi and Islamabad.
Tensions erupted after a deadly attack targeting tourists in Kashmir, which India blamed on Pakistan, a claim the latter strongly denies. The two countries then exchanged missile fire, rekindling the threat of a major regional conflict.
Asked about India's controversial decision to suspend its participation in the Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960, Lammy urged all parties to "respect their commitments." This suspension threatens the water supply of Pakistan, whose agriculture depends heavily on the river system. Islamabad has warned that any major disruption would be considered an act of war.
The British Foreign Minister also reiterated the UK's commitment to supporting Pakistan in its fight against terrorism, which he described as a "scourge for the region."
Elsewhere, Lammy accused Russia of "obfuscation" after the collapse of Russian-Ukrainian talks in Istanbul, which lasted less than two hours. He denounced Moscow's lack of transparency and its reluctance to engage in a serious peace process, saying the time had come to tell Vladimir Putin "that enough is enough."
