• Lammy wraps up Islamabad trip, says working to ensure Pakistan-India dialogue, CBMs
• Top envoy urges both countries to meet obligations under Indus Waters Treaty
• Appreciates Pakistan’s help in relocation of Afghan refugees to the UK
ISLAMABAD: As a ceasefire reached between Pakistan and India holds despite belligerent statements by Indian officials, British Foreign Minister David Lammy on Saturday revealed that the UK and the US were working to ensure that the ceasefire between the two nuclear powers “endures” and a dialogue takes place.
“We will continue to work with the United States to ensure that we get an enduring ceasefire, to ensure that dialogue is happening and to work through with Pakistan and India how we can get to confidence and confidence-building measures between the two sides,” Mr Lammy told Reuters in Islamabad on Saturday at the end of his two-day visit.
“These are two neighbours with a long history, but they are two neighbours that have barely been able to speak to one other over this past period, and we want to ensure that we do not see further escalation and that the ceasefire endures,” he said.
Pakistan and India returned from the brink of war over the Pahalgam attack, after New Delhi accused Islamabad, without evidence, of orchestrating the shooting and launched airstrikes in multiple Pakistani cities, killing over 30 civilians. India also attacked Pakistani airbases and military targets, prompting Pakistan to target its military installations using missiles and airstrikes.
However, on the same day, both countries agreed to cease hostilities at the US request, which along with other countries played a major role in de-escalation. According to Reuters, a rapid diplomatic effort to broker the ceasefire succeeded on May 10, but diplomats and analysts say “it remains fragile”.
US President Donald Trump, who made the ceasefire announcement, had said that talks should take place at a third-country venue but no dates or location for the talks have been announced. India, however, is reluctant to agree to this proposal, saying any talks would be “strictly bilateral”.
Asked about India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, squeezing Pakistan’s water supply, Mr Lammy said: “We would urge all sides to meet their treaty obligations.”
India had “put in abeyance” its participation in the 1960 pact, which governs use of the Indus river system, a move Pakistan considers ‘an act of war’ if its access to water is disrupted.
The British foreign minister said London would also continue to work with Pakistan on countering “terrorism”, saying it is “a terrible blight on this country and its people, and of course on the region.”
Afghan refugees
Separately, David Lammy on Saturday lauded Pakistan for facilitating the relocation of Afghan refugees to the United Kingdom, in a meeting with Interior Minister Mohsin Raza Naqvi.
During the meeting at the ministry, both sides discussed Pakistan-United Kingdom relations and developmental partnerships.
Appreciating the UK’s support under the ‘Upscale programme’, the interior minister said the initiative was playing a key role in curbing organised crime.
He added that both countries were working jointly in the areas of illegal immigration, online child harassment, mutual legal assistance and extradition, criminal record exchange, sex offender management, illicit financing, and counter-narcotics.
He highlighted that the cooperation under the programme was yielding positive results in preventing serious and organised crimes, saying that with the support of the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency, Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) had seized 4.3 tonnes of opium, valued at £22 million.
Iftikhar A. Khan in Islamabad also contributed to this report
Published in Dawn, May 18th, 2025
