Key points
- UK foreign secretary concluded his two-day visit to Islamabad
- He stressed the need to respect international agreements
- UK to work with US to ensure ceasefire between India, Pakistan holds: Lammy
ISLAMABAD: British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has called on “all sides” to uphold their commitments under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), following India’s controversial decision to unilaterally suspend its participation in the pact—a move that has heightened tensions in the already fragile region.
Speaking at the conclusion of his two-day visit to Islamabad, Lammy stressed the need for both countries to respect international agreements, warning against steps that could undermine regional stability. “We would urge all sides to meet their treaty obligations,” he told Reuters, in response to India’s April 23 suspension of the IWT, a pact that governs water sharing of the Indus River system since 1960.
Abrupt move
India’s abrupt move came after it accused Pakistan—without presenting evidence—of involvement in a Pehalgam incident. Pakistan has vehemently denied any role and has even offered a neutral investigation to determine the truth behind the incident.
Lammy emphasised that the UK, in coordination with the US, is committed to de-escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
“We will continue to work with the United States to ensure that we get an enduring ceasefire… and to encourage confidence-building measures between the two sides,” he said.
Long-standing hostilities
He acknowledged the long-standing hostilities between India and Pakistan but urged both nations to open communication channels, warning that silence only deepens mistrust. “These are two neighbours with a long history but they have barely spoken in recent times. We must ensure the ceasefire endures and prevent any further escalation,” Lammy said.
Pakistan has credited the UK, US, and other international partners with helping defuse recent cross-border hostilities, though diplomatic sources caution that the truce remains precarious.
“Terrible blight”
On counterterrorism, Lammy pledged continued British support to Pakistan, describing terrorism as a “terrible blight” not just on Pakistan but on the broader region. He affirmed the UK’s partnership with Islamabad in tackling extremism and promoting regional peace.
As water security, ceasefire stability, and cross-border tensions intertwine, the coming weeks may prove crucial in determining whether diplomacy can hold back another chapter of regional conflict.
