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10-06-2025
NEW DELHI/ LONDON: Britain and India on Saturday discussed expanding their “counter-terrorism” collaboration following recent fighting between India and Pakistan, Britain’s foreign minister told media after meeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
British foreign minister David Lammy is the highest-profile Western official to have visited both New Delhi and Islamabad since the South Asian neighbors agreed to a ceasefire last month after their worst fighting in nearly three decades.
The latest tensions began in April after the killing of 26 men in Indian Kashmir that New Delhi blamed on “terrorists” backed by Pakistan, a charge Islamabad denied. India then attacked what it called “terrorist infrastructure” in Pakistan, leading to escalation from both sides until a May 10 ceasefire.
“We want the situation to be maintained, but of course we recognize fragility, particularly in the backdrop of terrorism, terrorism designed to destabilize India,” Lammy said in an interview at the residence of the British High Commissioner in New Delhi.
“We are keen to continue to work with our Indian partners on counter-terrorism measures.”
He said he discussed the next steps with both Modi and Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar but gave no specifics.
Last year, India and Britain discussed, opens new tab combating the financing of terrorism, cooperation between law enforcement and judicial bodies and information sharing.
Lammy said he also discussed boosting trade between the world’s fifth and sixth largest economies. The countries concluded talks for a free trade deal early last month. “I know that Prime Minister Keir Starmer is very much looking forward to coming to India very soon to sign the free trade agreement,” Lammy said. “There is so much that our two nations can continue to do together.”
Last month, the international community welcomed the decision by Pakistan and India to enforce a “full and immediate ceasefire” following days of deadly jet fighter, missile, drone, and artillery strikes.
The escalation began following the April 22 attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which killed 26 people. India, without investigation or evidence, implied “cross-border linkages” of the attackers. Pakistan has firmly rejected the claim and called for a neutral probe.
Following the allegations, India launched a series of missile strikes on Pakistan, resulting in civilian casualties. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), 24 impacts were recorded across six locations, leaving 33 Pakistani civilians dead and 76 injured. In response, Pakistan’s military shot down five Indian jets and destroyed brigade headquarters and multiple check-posts along the Line of Control.
On Saturday morning, India targeted several Pakistani airbases, prompting a swift military response from Pakistan under the retaliatory campaign codenamed Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos.
In a breakthrough moment today, the two countries agreed to a ceasefire pushed by US President Donald Trump, with global leaders hailing the move.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the ceasefire announcement, calling it a “positive step that should lead to peace,” his spokesperson Stephane Dujarri quoted him as saying.
Guterres “hopes the agreement will contribute to lasting peace and foster an environment conducive to addressing broader, longstanding issues between the two countries”, the spokesperson said in a statement. (Int’l News Desk)
