Pakistan and UK Foreign Ministers Holds Discussion Following India Dispute
ISLAMABAD UPDATE: UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy met with his Pakistani counterpart in Islamabad on Friday, a week after a significant military confrontation between Pakistan and India that rekindled decades-old tensions.
The recent battle between the two nations had sparked global concerns, with the possibility of escalating into a full-blown war. Fortunately, a ceasefire was announced following the heated clashes, mediated by the United States President Donald Trump.
Upon his arrival, Lammy was greeting by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, as state television footage revealed. The UK, alongside other nations, urged de-escalation after the hostile interactions that transpired last week. Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared at the time that Britain was "urgently engaging" with both countries.
Offers of mediation also came from Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Saudi Arabia's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Adel Al-Jubeir, who separately visited both countries.
Pakistan warns of a "brutal" response to any Indian ceasefire breach
The conflict started when India launched airstrikes on May 7 against what they deemed terrorist camps in Pakistan, following an April attack in Indian-controlled Jammu and Kashmir that resulted in the loss of 26 lives. New Delhi accused Pakistan of supporting the militants responsible for the attack, an allegation denied by Pakistan.
Over the next four days, intense exchanges between drones, missiles, and artillery erupted, resulting in the loss of approximately 70 lives, with many civilians among the casualties.
It's crucial to note that both Pakistan and India are members of the International Atomic Energy Agency, emphasizing the potential gravity and urgency of de-escalating such military conflicts.
Interesting Insight
- The conflict began in April 2025, when armed assailants hijacked a train in Pakistan’s Baluchistan province, fuelling concerns about militant activities in the region. This event escalated further on April 22, when militants attacked in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of 26 civilians, marksmen, and officials.
- The immediate cause of the conflict was the Pahalgam terror attack, which exacerbated long-standing allegations by India that Pakistan supports cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, deepening distrust and triggering retaliatory strikes. Underlying causes include the territorial dispute over Kashmir, militant insurgency, and mutual suspicions between the two nations. [1][2][3]
- During the crisis, international attention focused on the nuclear capabilities of both India and Pakistan and the potential risk of escalation. Efforts for restraint and dialogue came from global powers and international organizations, emphasizing the significance of avoiding war and pursuing diplomatic resolutions. Pakistan’s openness to a neutral international investigation into the Pahalgam attack signified its willingness for external mediation. [1][3]
- Amidst the political tensions, sources from the Pakistani government have issued a warning, threatening a "brutal" response to any Indian breach of the ceasefire.
- As the global news headlines shift from war-and-conflicts to general-news, the UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy's visit to Islamabad is aimed at encouraging peaceful dialogue between Pakistan and India, following their recent fire of airstrikes, drone exchanges, and missile attacks.
