UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy Visits Pakistan Amid Military Tensions – Urges Urgent Dialogue on Water Treaty with India
Pakistan, May 18 –The United Kingdom and the United States are working together to ensure the ceasefire between India and Pakistan holds and that confidence-building measures and dialogue are initiated between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. This was stated by British Foreign Secretary David Lammy during his visit to Pakistan on Saturday.
Last week’s conflict between India and Pakistan sparked fears among global powers of a full-scale war. Like other nations, the UK called on both sides to exercise restraint. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK was in "urgent communication" with both countries.
At the conclusion of his two-day visit to Islamabad, Lammy told Reuters, "We will continue working with the United States to maintain the ceasefire, keep the dialogue going, and discuss how trust can be restored between India and Pakistan."
When asked about India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, Lammy said, “We encourage both sides to uphold their treaty obligations.”
India announced the suspension of the World Bank-brokered 1960 treaty on April 22, a day after a tourist was killed in Pahalgam, Kashmir. The treaty ensures the supply of 80 percent of water for Pakistan's agricultural system.
Pakistan has stated that, in addition to the United States, the UK and other countries have played a crucial role in de-escalating the recent conflict. According to diplomats and analysts, the current ceasefire remains fragile.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump told Fox News on Friday that he helped prevent a potential "nuclear war" between India and Pakistan. He added that he offered both countries trade incentives if they agreed to stop the conflict.
Trump said, "There were excellent discussions with Pakistan too, because it’s a matter concerning both sides. Just as I was confident with India, I also talked to Pakistan about trade. They want to trade."
"They are very intelligent people. They produce excellent products, and we don’t do much trade with them."
According to his office, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed his commitment to peace in South Asia despite recent military tensions with India. He made this remark after meeting with Lammy.
Last week, India launched attacks on what it called "terrorist bases" in Pakistan in response to the killing of a tourist in Kashmir. India alleged that Pakistan-backed militants were behind the attack, a claim Pakistan has denied.
At least 70 people, including many civilians, were killed over four days of drone, missile, and artillery strikes, raising fears of a full-scale war. Following this, U.S. President Trump announced a ceasefire.
This was Lammy’s first official visit to Pakistan, which the Pakistani Foreign Ministry described as highlighting the "strong and multifaceted partnership" between Pakistan and the UK and reaffirming their commitment to regional and international peace.
