What Did UK Foreign Secretary Say After Talks With EAM Jaishankar and Pakistan's Foreign Minister?

London/New Delhi, May 9 (NationPress) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar engaged in a telephone conversation with the UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Friday. Their dialogue focused on a zero-tolerance strategy towards terrorism.

"I spoke with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy this afternoon. Our conversation revolved around the imperative of countering terrorism with zero tolerance," shared the EAM on X.

The discussions came in the wake of rising tensions between India and Pakistan, which escalated on Thursday when the Pakistani military targeted civilian infrastructure and military bases in Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur using missiles and drones; all of which were intercepted by the Indian armed forces.

"The ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan are a grave concern. In my conversations with both Dr. S. Jaishankar and Ishaq Dar today, I emphasized the need for a diplomatic resolution rather than conflict. I made it clear to all parties involved that if this situation escalates, it will lead to no winners," Lammy wrote on X on Friday evening.

Recently, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his serious concerns regarding the escalating tensions between the two nations.

"The increasing tensions between India and Pakistan are alarming for many in Britain. We are urgently engaging with both nations and other international stakeholders, advocating for dialogue, de-escalation, and the safety of civilians," Starmer stated during his speech in the House of Commons.

In support of India, UK Conservative MP Priti Patel asserted that India has the right to undertake reasonable and proportionate measures to defend itself against the heinous terrorist apparatus that has inflicted suffering and continues to pose a threat. She criticized Pakistan for jeopardizing both India and Western interests by nurturing terrorism.

Patel, who serves as the Shadow Foreign Secretary, also expressed her condolences to the victims of the "murderous, violent terrorism" in Pahalgam on April 22.

"This was an act of terrorism, and we must acknowledge that Pahalgam has now joined the ranks of Mumbai, New Delhi, and other locations in India that have been permanently scarred by acts of terror," she remarked.

"Terrorists operating from Pakistan pose a threat to both India and Western interests. This is the same country where Osama bin Laden was found—highlighting the long-standing history of violence perpetrated by terrorists against India. The UK has established enduring security cooperation agreements with India in this context," she added.

Following India's actions against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan, UK Conservative MP Bob Blackman questioned the British government on whether it would demand the removal of terrorist bases in Pakistan permanently.

"It was made clear at the time by India that either Pakistan dismantles the terrorist camps along the Line of Control, or India would take action. Last night, nine locations were targeted. These were terrorist bases where individuals were being trained to carry out further atrocities in India. Will the Minister urge Pakistan to ensure that these terrorist bases are eliminated once and for all?" Blackman inquired during his speech in the House of Commons.

Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak earlier justified the strikes carried out by Indian defense forces on terror camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), asserting that there can be no tolerance for terrorism.

"India is justified in taking action against terrorist infrastructure. There must be no impunity for terrorists," Sunak posted on X.